Lucien pov

The moment the ritual burst open, I didn’t think. I didn’t plan. I just ran at Alaric with everything I had. I didn’t feel the heat or the shaking ground. All I saw was Rick screaming and Ivy reaching for him.

“Alaric!” I roared and threw myself at him.

But something invisible slammed into my chest before I even got close. The force knocked the air out of my lungs. I hit the ground and slid across the stone floor. Pain shot through my ribs so hard my vision blurred.

I ...