The instant Nate stepped through the shimmering portal, the cold slammed into him like a tidal wave. He gasped sharply, his breath crystallizing in the frigid air. It was nothing like the last time he had been here—it was worse. The cold dug into his skin, wrapping around his bones like icy tendrils, seeking to drain every ounce of warmth from his body.
He immediately summoned his fire, letting it flare up around him like a protective aura. The flames danced along his arms and shoulders, shielding him from the merciless cold. The relief was immediate, and he let out a slow breath, watching as the warmth from his body clashed with the icy air, creating a thin mist around him.
Then he turned to Alice.