Balthazar reaches her first--these are the benefits of having wings--but he's reluctant to grab her physically when she's struggling so hard already. She might mistake him for another tentacle, and while he'd recover fast from a slash or bite, it may be better she doesn't waste her energy.

The additional problem, of course, is that he doesn't have the first clue how to swim in a human vessel. If it were a less dire situation, it would be funny to watch, the way he splashes, sinks, and rises again on angelic power. It's a bit like watching a dog on a trampoline, perhaps, springing up and bouncing over the waves. The sea monster probably shouldn't be laughing for long, though, because angels are warriors, and Balthazar's known how to use a blade for longer than the human race has existed. There's a flash of silver, and the tentacle holding Riley is treated to a brutal stab and twist of the sword.

Riley! I'm here, just try to keep your head above the waterline! The command comes telepathically; he doubts she could hear him shout over the melee around them. Hopefully she'll hear this message, and between the angel and the other rescuers around them they can get her to safety fast. There's a lot of blood in the water.