All the men growled and edged to their feet.
"No. I've got this," I said in all of their heads.
"And what about the loves of my life, Hellion?" I asked softly. My voice a sharp contrast to the loudness of his. "Why does yours matter more than mine?"
"Because "
I flung my magic at him. He stumbled back. Anger ate away the confused look that had taken over his face. "Be very careful with what you say next, Uncle," I sneered the last word.
With a wave of his own magic, the warehouse was gone. We stood out in the open, sunlight beating down on us.
"Do not think you can take me on, niece. You don't yet know how to use your magic. You are but an infant suckling at the nipple of the well I have available to me." He waved his hands in the air again, pulled magic to rest on his upturned palms.
My family gathered around me, ranged themselves into the circles of Guardians and Mates that was repeated on my rune.