Chapter 84

When Sasha grabbed Anthony by the arm, Anthony wasn't even aware that his feet had started to move until Sasha told him.

"No, no. You can't."

Why shouldn't it? Anthony shifted his attention back to his companion after the enchantment had been broken.

"You'll appear like an idiot. What are you going to do, give her the drawing you've been working on? Like, hello, gorgeous girl, I'm really not just a serial killer or a stalker or something? You are going to make her run away in fear." Sasha is right on this one.

Anthony furrowed his brow. "I'm not going to rush over there and tackle her. I just need to have a conversation with him. I want to get a handle on everything that's going on here."

"What is this thing with me seeing you whenever I close my eyes? That's not weird at all, that's for sure." Sasha gave a small shake of her head.

"Listen, I have no idea what's going on over here, but I do know that you have to have a level head. The typical guidelines are still in effect. Anthony was confident that she was correct. "So, what exactly am I expected to do here?"

"You need to have a strategy." Sasha gazed at him. "And perhaps a hairbrush," she added. There was some hesitance on Anthony's part.

It's possible that this is the game plan. Perhaps it took me seventeen years to get here, but now that I am, I should consider the possibility that I am meant to be here. Perhaps this is how it is to be controlled by Lady of the Lake. Someone blew a horn.

Sasha reached into the worn-out bag and pulled out a handful of broken and crooked épées. In either case, we are going to have to hold off. I did not learn to fence while riding in the car with my father for all of those hours. In 10 minutes, we will no longer be accepting registrations. It is imperative that we get our weapons examined.

Anthony cast a suspicious glance all over the room. A conversation was currently taking place between the girl who looked like Celine and her pals, all of whom appeared to be familiar. While he watched, he had to steady his leg by pressing his hand against it to prevent it from shaking.

This is not a hoax. She is genuine.

It was all quite puzzling to me. He was unaware of what was about to take place, but he was aware that some aspect of it had already been taking place for such a significant amount of time that it would require more than just one person to put a stop to it.

As stalwart as an ox. Have the fortitude of an ox.

You are need to think. It is up to you to figure out what the next step should be. However, it wasn't quite as simple as that. He turned his head in every direction, but there were too many people and there was too much noise. His heart was racing, and he was starting to experience some anxiety as a result.

When you really needed some perspective, why didn't you take a shower in the icy cold? It's possible that there isn't a shower, but at least—

Anthony turned his attention back to Sasha. "Let me locate the changing rooms," she said. I simply need a minute. After that, I'll look for you at the checkpoint for weapons.

Sasha nodded, and then she reached out and touched both of Anthony's shoulders. "Breathe."

"Breathing," Anthony referred to the activity.

"And I'm not a mouse," she continued. She flashed a grin. Sasha's affectionate nickname for her ever since the two of them first crossed paths in the trash-filled lane behind the animal sanctuary.

When the door to the entire world had just been opened in front of her, only a mouse would run and hide in the locker room. Furthermore, I am not a mouse.

Sasha said something to the effect of "We'll see" before vanishing into the mob. Anthony scooped up her blades in a methodical manner.

I'm not.

He struggled to get moving but eventually managed to turn around and start heading in the direction of the female.