Page 10 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

"Small steps." Aru clapped him on his back. "Now that you know the technique, you can practice a little every day. Eventually, you will learn how to get in the zone."

When they returned to the other penthouse, Margo took one look at him and frowned. "No success?"

He shook his head. "I don't seem to be able to clear my mind and get in the zone."

Jasmine took his hand. "Let's go to our room. I want to show you something."

He was glad to leave the others and be alone with her. It was easier to keep his emotions in check when it was just the two of them, and he was less prone to bouts of anger.

No, that wasn't true.

He still got angry occasionally, but the peaks and troughs were not as extreme. If only he could also manage not to feel so inadequate around her, their relationship would be perfect, but that was on him, not her.

Jasmine led him to their bedroom and closed the door behind them.

The room, bathed in soft light filtering through the sheer curtains, felt like a sanctuary of tranquility to Ell-rom, and his nerves settled down another notch.

"Sit over here," Jasmine instructed, gesturing to the plush carpet.

As he complied, she sat across from him.

"I'm going to teach you a meditation technique," she explained. "It's something I learned in one of my acting workshops. It might help you relax and center yourself."

Ell-rom nodded.

"Close your eyes." Jasmine demonstrated. "Focus on your breathing. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Slow and steady."

He did as she instructed, concentrating on the rhythm of his breath.

In and out.

In and out.

"Now, imagine a warm, golden light filling your body with each inhale," Jasmine continued soothingly. "Feel it spreading from your center to your limbs, all the way to your fingertips and toes."

Ell-rom followed her guidance with what seemed like practiced ease, and a sense of calm washed over him. He had done this before; he was sure of it. The tension in his muscles started to melt away.

Perhaps he had practiced meditation in the Mother's temple.

"With each exhale, imagine all your negative thoughts and emotions leaving your body." Jasmine gestured to the top of her head and moved her fingers. "Picture them as dark smoke, dissipating into the air and getting absorbed by the light."

Ell-rom visualized his frustration and fear as a murky cloud, watching it disperse with each breath out. He felt lighter, more at peace.

"Now, let your mind drift." Jasmine's soft voice was hypnotic. "Don't try to control your thoughts. Just observe them as they come and go, like clouds passing in the sky."

As Ell-rom sank deeper into the meditation, he felt a strange sensation. It was similar to what he had felt earlier when trying to shroud, but more natural and effortless.

He didn't fight it.

Ell-rom visualized himself becoming translucent and disappearing from Jasmine's view completely, but instead ofpushing it out as Aru had told him, he simply let it wash over him.

Suddenly, Jasmine's gasp broke through his concentration, and his eyes snapped open. "What happened?"

"You turned invisible." Her hand was over her heart, and her eyes were wide. "You were shrouding!"

Ell-rom blinked in surprise, looking down at his hands. They appeared solid and visible to him. "I did? Am I still invisible?"

"No. I'm sorry for breaking your concentration. But you did it. You disappeared. If I hadn't experienced this before, I would have panicked."