Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her body plummet through the air before crashing into the icy, bone-chilling Atlantic.

She was numb all over, too exhausted to fight, and didn't even want to try. She let herself sink, the ocean's weight pressing down on her lungs, the cold making her thoughts blur and fade.

Suddenly, the water above her churned as a figure dove in, breaking through the

waves.

She tried to make out who it was, but she couldn't hold on any longer. There's no way it could be Rupert, she thought dimly. He'd never jump from that high.

Just before her world went black, strong arms wrapped around her, and suddenly someone's lips pressed against hers-breathing life back into her. Instinctively, Sylvia clung to her rescuer's neck as they kicked up toward the surface.

But just as they neared the air, the grip around her loosened. She reached desperately for the blurry silhouette, but her fingers caught nothing but cold water.

A second later, another hand grabbed hers, pulling her fully into the open air.

She coughed and spluttered, choking on seawater as she tried to catch her breath. Blinking salt from her eyes, she looked up to see who had saved her.

"Mr. Sanford..." she gasped.

Lester wiped the water from his face, his expression thunderous. "I never should've agreed to this back at the square. Do you even realize how dangerous that was?"

say something, but Lester pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist,

the wail of sirens echoed

her up onto the sand, where his assistant, Zion, hurried over with a

hell out of us, boss. You

first,"

down the ambulance, and

We need to get her to the hospital," one of them

he chest. She turned to look back

is it?" Lester asked

his pale, chattering face and shook her head. "Nothing. Come

with me, will you? You look awful

steadying her as they climbed

away, Orson burst through the surf, shivering

teeth chattered. He hauled a bleeding

Rupert, Chris Lennon's on his way.

the rocks, pressing his hand to his wound, his eyes

the

faded, his

darkness. s