Teaser Tuesday #4 - Assumptions

Today's teaser is the perfect example of someone who is afraid to be honest. Lauren is struggling to keep the Anghenfil (that's the dragon) from seducing her down into her own sadness, and yet won't even admit to those around her that she's in trouble.

See more after the jump.

"I wish Cefin would allow himself to move on." Aerona sighed, looking at the door before turning to smile at Lauren. "I think he's sweet on you, though."

"Yeah, well…" The wall was still there, keeping her apart from everyone. The Anghenfil purred in anticipation and she turned to smile at Aerona, forcing the monster back down.

"Do you think there will be new villagers with tyllwyllwch today?" Aerona asked. "Mairwan will be fine, it seems. I don't think you need to stay here if you don't want to."

Lauren nodded and played with her necklace, lost in thought.

"What's the matter?" Aerona asked. "You know that you can talk about anything with me, dear."

"Just a little tired from yesterday," Lauren waved her off. "But you're probably right. I should—"

"Lauren," Aerona said, looking at Lauren's necklace, "is your stone darker?"

A chill ran down her spine but she forced a smile on her face. "A little bit, but Siors said that it was fine."

It was a complete lie, but Lauren hoped that it would cease any of the other questions.

Aerona looked down at her hands. "You know, I wish I was as strong as you."

"What?" Lauren blinked.

"You just seem to take everything in stride. You didn't even flinch when Mairwan was….you just did what needed to be done."

Lauren swallowed.

"And…" Tears gathered in Aerona's eyes. "I don't think that I will ever be able to thank you for everything you've done for us—for me. You are a blessing, Lauren."

Lauren nodded and imagined the look on Aerona's face when she found out how close Mairwan had come to being devoured by the Anghenfil. They were all in danger, every person that was around her, because if she slipped up just once, the monster would come for her—and destroy everyone in its path.

Lauren smiled and nodded at Aerona, promising herself that she would do better from now on. No more sad thoughts.

The Anghenfil chuckled in the back of her mind.

~*~

A lot of Lauren's experiences in Rhianu are taken from my experiences in DC. When it comes to friends, I have never, ever felt like I truly fit in. I never felt truly comfortable with my friends from college, I never felt truly comfortable with my running friends, I never felt truly comfortable with my ex's friends.

Again, it's not them - it's me. I'm too afraid of rejection (next week's theme) to allow myself to be my honest, authentic self. For a long time, it was because I didn't even like myself. But even though Suni and Whit are cool, it's still terrifying to try and be myself, especially when I've spent nearly 20 years trying to be someone else so people won't reject me.

I am moving home this week (pause for screaming). One of the things I'm worried about is reverting to this person with walls up, not trusting anyone. But my hope is that I have some good perspective now, and I can catch myself before my behavior has unwanted consequences.

~~~

Lauren Dailey is in break-up hell.

Stuck between moving on and letting go, she puts on a brave face while crying herself to sleep at night. But when a mysterious voice promises escape from her sadness, she is suddenly transported to a new world. And in this place, the slightest touch pulls her out of her tortured emotions into the mind of another - an empath.

The villagers - sweet Aerona and her mischievous twins, wise Siors, and hunky Cefin - welcome her and the blessings her empath powers bring. But this world is not without its dangers. The Anghenfil, a fire-breathing monster, has haunted the village for decades, and has a taste for empaths. And that mysterious voice promising escape from sadness? It's sounding more like a whisper tinged with smoke and embers.

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