Page 68 of Omega Sanctuary

I blinked. Her words were daggers inside me. It wasn't until then I realized I kept thinking things would go back to normal.

But this was my normal now. Dancing with these ethereal girls and learning which fork to hold with a group of teenagers.

I stood up. "Just because I'm an omega doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a spoiled brat."

"It's not being spoiled. It's being taken care of." Shai narrowed her eyes. "You haven't had a heat yet?"

"So?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You'll see." Shai lifted her chin. "You'll be grateful there's people around here to bring you food, help you through it."

"I'm not going to think I'm too good for basic life skills," I snapped. Her words lodged inside my heart, where the hope of going back to Nan and the bakery was slowly dying.

Shai made a disgusted sound and stood up. "It's time for class. Better not be late."

I couldn't think of a witty comeback. I didn't want to fight with Shai. Her energy was hot and blustery, like a hurricane, but something about her reminded me of Nova.

She was an adult like me, so something was wrong with her, or she wouldn't be here.

The next morning, I had my first training session with Aalina at the Healer's House. I nearly skipped back to the smaller building, the tension in my chest lighter.

I was going to learn spirit magic. Maybe I'd figure out how to summon Kivai, or at the very least, let him know I wanted to see him.

Wanting to see him again was not my best idea, but I couldn’t help the longing inside my chest when he was around.

The sixteen year old from the yesterday was there today. She gestured to the right. "Go into that room and change into a robe."

She seemed bored with life. I smiled a little at her brusque tone and followed a short hallway into a tiny room. I changed out of my dress and put a simple white robe on.

I sat and waited. The white walls were simple but painted with delicate blue latticework at the top near the ceiling.

Aalina bustled into the room. "Come on. We'll go into the training circle until we have a better idea of your abilities."

I followed the priestess outside, down a short pathway. The side of the hill curved into a small valley. White lines ran along the floor of the valley in concentric circle broken by thick lines running straight through the circle like spokes on a wheel. A small metal box sat at each intersection. Runes etches into the sides of the boxes glowed with faint blue light.

The priestess walked all the way to the bottom of the valley. Off to the side was a small chair made from driftwood, vines curled around the joints.

Aalina settled herself into the chair. It creaked, but held her. She gestured at a white bench to the side of the circle.

"Tell me everything you know about spirit magic."

I sat down and bit my lip. "Not much? Spirit magic flows through everything in our world."

Aalina nodded. "And?"

I didn't want to tell her about Kivai. I didn't think she would approve of me talking to spirit people. "Uhhh, I've heard the Shrines mentioned, but I don't know how they connect to spirit magic."

Aalina clicked her tongue. "I suppose they don't teach much about magic unless you have it."

I shrugged. "I guess? It would have been nice if the Sanctuary found me sooner."

Frustration bit into me. It wasn't my fault I didn't have the first clue about spirit magic.

Aalina nodded once. "This is true. Our newer way of doing things has its own drawbacks." She looked at me, her watery blue eyes piercing me. "You are perhaps the best example of that.

"Spirit magic flows through our world, yes. There is a cycle to it, much like water fills our oceans and lakes, and then falls from the sky." She gestured at the small metal boxes. "Those are anastatis boxes. They are conduits of magic. They will help you channel your magic until you master your own control."

I stared at the small objects, no bigger than a bread box. "They will?"

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