You nock or load the arrow or bolt used in the spell’s casting and make a ranged attack with it against one creature within the weapon's normal range. On a hit, the target suffers the weapon attack’s normal effects, and you can cause a burst of lightning to arc from the target to a different creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of it. The second creature takes lightning damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier.

This spell’s damage increases when you reach certain levels. At 5th level, the ranged attack deals an extra 1d8 lightning damage to the target on a hit, and the lightning damage to the second creature increases to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th level (2d8 and 2d8) and 17th level (3d8 and 3d8)