Page 69 of Omega Sanctuary

"They are old technology," Aalina said. "Before we created the Shrines to direct magic across the land."

"So they direct spirit magic to the Shrines themselves?"

"Yes," Aalina said. "Only an omega with spirit magic can become priestess to those temples." She gave me a sideways look.

I frowned. "I just got here. I don't know what I want to do with my life."

She lifted her hands up. "I'm just making a statement. The Sanctuary is itching to find omegas to preside over the temples. If an omega had the control and training, I assume she would have more leverage over her pack and preferences."

Aalina was giving me an out, a way to control my life here. I grinned, feeling better about this entire situation. "I suppose I should start training then."

If I was able to control my magic, I could choose whoever I wanted. I could demand to have baking supplies brought to my room.

Maybe being at a Shrine would allow me to help Kivai.

"Settle yourself in the center." Aalina gestured at the center of the valley. "This is just a precaution. Most novices don't have enough magical pull to need the training center, but spirit magic is tricky."

I walked to the center of the valley and sat down.

Immediately, I felt the difference. I was balanced on a point between where the ground sloped up to meet the sky. I couldn't see it, but I could hear the ocean nearby.

"Sit cross legged."

I obeyed, wincing as my knees cracked and popped.

"Now center yourself. I want you to practice this many times a day. When you're in class. When you're falling asleep. When you're dancing with those overstuffed peacocks they call alphas."

I laughed.

Aalina didn't smile at me, but judging how her eyes twinkled she was amused.

"Take some time to just breath in and out, slowly."

I took in a breath and let it out.

"Much too fast."

I closed my eyes, focusing on the sound of her voice. "It will be a place just above your navel. It will feel warm, like a light inside you."

Like a firefly, my mind supplied. I breathed in and out slowly.

It was harder to relax than I'd thought. I wondered what we were having for lunch. Whether Valens was okay or not. If he missed me. I wanted to go swimming later.

I tried to let each of these thoughts go, but a new worry was there to take its place.

I wasn't sure how much time passed, but eventually I felt my body relax, felt the small warm light inside me.

"Good."

Her voice, even though it was soft, felt too loud in the silence I created around myself.

"Reach for your magic. It will feel almost like your center, but separate, like the fruit on a tree."

I let out another breath. Deep inside me, the warm golden magic sat. That part wasn't hard at all.

"Now take a small amount and picture yourself holding it. Drawing water from a well."

I scooped up some magic.

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