The cage hit the water with a tremendous splash.

Cold water immediately flooded over Sara. She barely got in a last breath before her head went under.

She squinted open one eye, and wished she hadn't.

Sharks swam in circles around the cage. They were even bigger than she realized.

She put her hands to her throat. Her lungs burned for air.

I'm drowning, she thought fearfully, feeling dizzy.

Her pulse pounded against her ears as her heartbeat raced.

From somewhere above her, she heard a loud splash.

A figure dove through the water, swimming rapidly towards the cage.

One of the sharks attacked the swimmer.

Sara braced for blood, but the swimmer was ready. They punched the shark's head, causing it to jerk back violently and take off in the opposite direction.

Sara stared through the metal bars in astonishment.

The swimmer pounded their fists against the cage door, trying to open it. But the door wouldn't budge.

Another shark materialized out of nowhere behind her rescuer.

Sara gestured frantically in warning.

The swimmer whirled around. They kicked the shark on the side of its pointed snout.

The shark shook its head, baring its teeth, and swam off hurriedly.

Sara's eyes grew heavy. Her chest felt like it was about to explode from lack of air. Before her eyes closed, she saw the figure forcefully yank open the cage door and reach for her.

When Sara awoke, she was lying flat on her back. She quickly rolled to her side and spit out the excess water, sucking in air in gasping breaths.

"Oh, thank GAWD! She's alive!" Erin cried.

She felt Erin hug her, holding her head gingerly in her hands.

Sara waved her friend away. She sat up slowly.

Trevor and Erin sat sprawled on the ground to her right. They gazed down at her with fearful expressions.

On her other side was Bentley. His glorious face was filled with worry.

"You're safe now. Those masked men are long gone." He stroked her cheek with his warm hand. "How are you feeling?" he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

"Okay, I guess," she said. "Did you rescue me?"

He shook his head and cleared his throat. He looked over Sara's shoulder.

She glanced up. "You!"

Halo, his ice-colored eyes narrowed in annoyance, stood like a soaking wet demigod. His golden curls were slicked back behind his adorable ears. His chest muscles rippled beneath the thin fabric of the dripping wet, now skin-tight red devil costume.

"You saved me?" Sara stammered.

Halo blew hot air through his nose like an angry bull. "So?" he snarled, crossing his massive arms. "I'm not afraid of sharks."

Sara felt tears glisten in her eyes. "Th-thank you," she said, her voice trembling. "You're an angel."

Halo narrowed his eyes and gestured to his costume. "Uh...actually I'm a devil."

Bentley smirked at him. "Then you should change your name."

Erin was practically drooling up at Halo with a crazy half-smile spread across her face.

Trevor groaned. "For what it's worth, I'm super relieved to see all of Sara here. Was worried we'd only get bits and pieces."

Erin swatted Trevor's head.

"Ow!" he laughed.

Sara tried to stand, but Bentley held onto her shoulder.

"Keep still, you need to rest," he said gently. He helped her lie back on the ground.

"Where are Dan and Chad?" Sara asked.

"They took off with my uncle's band way before this place went haywire," Trevor said with a smirk. "The guys wanted to make sure some fine-looking ladies got home safe and sound." He burst out laughing but then stopped abruptly when he noticed Bentley's irritated glare.

***

Later, Sara watched the news in her hospital room.

The doctor had told her to remain there overnight.

The television screen showed a female news reporter holding a microphone. Various police cars with their lights flashing, were parked haphazardly in a parking lot in the background. "This evening, a tragic event occurred at one of Miami's most exclusive nightclubs, The Deep End."

The camera panned to an outside view of the nightclub, then cut to the interior of the massive dance floor.

"Hector Flame, notorious ringleader of The Skulls, terrorized the nightclub's unsuspecting guests."

The screen cut to an interview of one of the nightclub guests. "They surrounded us, man. They had this HUGE platform thing that cut the whole place in half. The entire crowd was divided," the guy said.

The scene cut to another interview of a girl. "The guy wore a Grimm Reaper costume. He was super scary. And they chased us with chainsaws. Like REAL chainsaws. They had the blades still on them and everything."

The reporter appeared back onscreen. "And that's not all. Hector Flame attempted to feed a young teenage female to Great White sharks." The camera showed the sharks swimming around the empty cage in the deep tank.

"The girl, Sara Smith, is lucky to be alive," the reporter said.

Sara's heart lurched. She saw herself being carried away on a stretcher. "Good grief," she muttered.

The television screen split to reveal a live newsroom where an anchorwoman sat behind a desk. On the other side of the television screen was the reporter.

The anchorwoman folded her arms over her chest. "Do we have any idea why The Skulls would strike this particular nightclub on Halloween?"

The reporter nodded her head. "Yes! In fact, I have more breaking news." She pulled out papers from her leather bag.

"Members of the royal family of South Fortland were in attendance tonight at The Deep End. The Skulls are their sworn enemy."

The screen changed to show the images of two young males.

The anchorwoman whistled. "Handsome boys. Who are they?"

The reporter grinned. "This is Halo Charleston, Prince of South Fortland and his half-brother, Bentley."

Sara's heart caught in her throat. Realization dawned on her.

"Oh my gosh!" she breathed. "Bentley's a prince!"