Page 67 of Omega Sanctuary

The next day I started with dance class.

Nova was there and came over to me right away. We were in a large courtyard outside of the Temple, and this time I was around women my age, or maybe a bit older.

"Everyone, this is Zara." Nova showed me around.

There were ten other girls in the room. Suddenly the teenagers didn't seem so scary. I didn't have to be well traveled to know they came from all over the country. There was a tall and skinny girl with jet black hair, and another pale girl with freckles covering every inch of skin and hair like flames.

"My name is Shai." A tall and curvy girl stepped forward. It was humid, the breeze barely there, and we all wore some variation on a loose flowing tunic. Her black hair was twisted into many smaller braids, and her brown skin shone in the sunlight. "Have you danced before?"

Her tone was businesslike, and for a moment, I thought she was the teacher.

Nova sighed. "She's new, Shai. I told you."

Shai eyed me. "You really switched this old?"

"No." I crossed my arms over my chest. "They just didn't detect it until it was almost too late."

Shai snorted at that. "Sure. You'll need to learn the dances if you're going to control your magic beyond the basics."

Merete had mentioned learning the rituals of the omegas, but I assumed it was a few box steps.

Shai gestured for me to take place at the end of the line. “We’re practicing Salutations to the Sun. It should be easy to pick up.”

They started dancing, a complicated mixture of movements with their legs and arms, all swaying limbs and twisting hips.

I tried to follow them for a second and then laughed. "Is there a beginner's version of this?"

"You don't need to get it perfect, Zara. Just feel the energy flow from us to you."

"I still don't see why dancing matters," I muttered.

Shai gave me a stink eye, and we started dancing again.

It was hopeless. Nova talked me through the moves, but I couldn't make my body move like that.

When it was time for lunch, I collapsed on the grass, my body covered in sweat.

"It will come with practice," Shai said. "I can help if you want."

I looked at her beautiful face. She moved like the ocean, and I was some tiny snail trying to dance to the same tune. "Let me try some on my own."

I didn't want Nova’s critical eye telling me each movement that was wrong. Better to practice in the safety of my own room.

Shai shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"Where are you from?" Naomi, the lanky girl with a wide mouth and narrow eyes asked.

"A tiny little village east of here," I said. "I was a baker."

"She makes the best rolls, too," Nova said.

"Maybe the cook will let me sneak into the kitchen," I said, already wondering what ingredients I could get my hands on.

Shai stood up out of her chair. "You're an omega now, not a baker. You have people bring you dessert, not the other way around."

I paused at her hard tone.

"The sooner you accept you're an omega and you're never going back to your old life, the better."

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