Sophia’s POV

The word tore from me in a ragged breath the moment I saw the dark stain blooming across Lucian’s side. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. I felt like the world was tilting beneath me and the smoke-filled sky bending around me as my stomach lurched.

He staggered, one hand pressed low against his ribs, the other still gripping his gun with knuckles white. His body swayed like he was about to fold into the dirt.

“No—no, no, no—” I rushed to him, my palms flying to the ...