Page 36 of Jilted By Jack Frost

“Will it hurt you?”

The concern in her voice makes my chest constrict further. “Not permanently.”

Violet hesitates, and I see the conflict in her eyes. Even now, worried about her friend, she’s considering my wellbeing.

I’ve been such a fool.

“Do it.” She squares her shoulders. “Please.”

Violet’s hand brushes against my arm. “Jack, wait. Those texts I found—” She bites her lip, hesitating. “There was something about a missing summer, in 1816. Your realm’s magic has affected Earth before, hasn’t it?”

My body goes rigid.How does she know about that?The memory of that devastating time floods back—my despair. How my magic had leaked into the mortal realm, bringing endless winter, even in summer months.

“The texts mentioned crop failures, widespread famine.” Her voice drops lower. “Just like what’s happening now in my town. Maybe there’s something in those records that could help us understand how to stop it?”

I can’t speak. Can’t move. The parallel she’s drawing is too precise, too painful. But there’s no time to dwell on it now. Not when every moment we delay puts her at greater risk. If it’s anything like what I faced centuries ago, Alana and the others won’t stand a chance against its destructive power.

Drawing myself up to my full height, I let winter’s power surge through me. My skin darkens to deep blue, clothes dissolving into swirling ice crystals that dance around my now-massive form. The temperature plummets as I gather the magic necessary to create a stable portal.

Ancient words of power tumble from my lips as I tear a hole between realms. The magic fights me, resistant to being bent to my will. My muscles strain with the effort of holding it open.

The portal stabilizes, edges crackling with frost. Through it, I can see the snow-buried streets of Salida.

Blood trickles from my nose—the price of defying the natural order. But seeing Violet’s determined face, I know it’s worth it.

“Go. Now.” My voice booms through the chamber, otherworldly in this form. “The portal won’t hold long. This will take you directly to her.” My voice strains with the effort. “But Violet—”

She meets my gaze, and for once, I let her see everything I’ve been hiding. All the fear, the longing, the regret.

“You can come back. If you want to.”I’ll find her. I’ll tear down every barrier between realms if she wants me to.

Her eyes widen at the admission, understanding its weight. I’m giving her a choice—something I should have done from the beginning.

The portal stabilizes, and I feel my power draining rapidly. Violet steps toward it, then pauses. She turns back to me one last time.

“Thank you, Jack.”

Then she’s gone, and I’m left with nothing but the echo of her presence and the hope that she’ll return.

I slump in my office chair, completely exhausted from maintaining the portal. The taste ofcopper lingers in my mouth from the strain of the magic. But something nags at my mind, preventing me from resting.

Violet found those records so quickly. How?

Gabriel enters without knocking, his usual smirk in place. “Well, that was quite the display of power?”

My jaw clenches at his casual tone. “You told me there were no records of similar events in our history.”

“Did I?” He examines his nails, unconcerned. “Perhaps I missed something in my research.”

“You’ve been around the library for centuries, since the last historian left.” I lean forward, studying his face. “You don’tmissthings.”

His gray eyes meet mine, a flash of something dark crossing his features. “Are you questioning my loyalty, Jack?”

“I’m questioning your competence.” The lie comes easily. In truth, I’m questioning far more than that. “A mortal found crucial historical information in days that you claimed didn’t exist after months of searching.”

Gabriel’s posture stiffens. “The girl probably misunderstood what she read. Ancient texts can be... misleading.”

“She mentioned 1816 in the mortal realm specifically.” I watch his reaction carefully. “The Year Without Summer.”

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