I could feel the tension in the air as I stood firm, looking into Uncle Damien's glowing eyes. His presence was always intense, a heavy feeling I could never shake off. But this time was different.
"Choose your next words and actions carefully... Uncle Damien," I said firmly.
For once, I wasn't afraid.
"You've grown some nerves, Ruby." His tone was as sharp as a blade. He leaned in closer, squinting as his eyes began to shine more brightly.
I didn’t flinch.
“You can growl and flash your glowing eyes all you want, Uncle Damien. You don’t scare me anymore.”
His silence stretched, each second feeling like an eternity. He stared at me down, his chest heaving as he struggled to rein in his temper.
Then, with a cold resolve, he stepped back, pressing his lips into a thin line.
"We're done here. Time we head back," he said, his voice cold and clipped.
"Gladly," I replied, brushing past him with a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. For the first time in my life, I had stood up to Unc
