Read Online Illusion Town by Jayne Castle - Free Book Online Page A

was because he had no way of knowing how much of the historical records would be lost in the chaos of those first few decades. He was a student of history himself, of course. It was his passion. He knew that the best way to preserve the historical record is to embed it in a story. That’s also the easiest way to make sure it gets passed down to the next generation. Each of these objects and attractions embodies a piece of Arcane history.”
    â€œHistory books and archives get lost but legends and myths have a way of hanging around. Makes sense. Aloysius Jones created a legend for the Society.”
    â€œI think that was the whole point of this place. He did an amazing job of it, too.”
    â€œIt looks like a working carnival, right down to the pizza and hot dog stands,” Elias said. “Was it ever open to the public?”
    â€œNo. Jones wrote in his diary that he never intended to create a working carnival because some of the relics in here are actually quite dangerous. But he wanted his museum to look and feel like an actual carnival. The various attractions are designed to portray the historical significance of the artifacts to future generations who might have forgotten the Society’s history. The man had a passion for his creation. He wanted it perfect in every detail.”
    â€œIt was genius,” Elias said. “If nothing else the design of the attractions would force future scholars to at least ask the right questions about the significance of each artifact.”
    â€œLike our midnight marriage. It forced us to start asking the right questions this morning.” Hannah paused. “It was probably the carnival that gave you the inspiration for that idea.”
    Elias shot her an unreadable look. “Uh-huh.”
    She was not sure how to take that. She realized she had been hoping for a different answer.
Be careful what you wish for,
she reminded herself.
    He walked to a carousel that featured several elegantly painted figures and objects. The statues were dressed in ancient, Old Earth costumes. One wore a sparkling crown. The animals were all Old World, as well. Some had proudly arched necks, flaring manes, and hooved feet. Hannah could not remember the name of the creatures but she was certain she had seen pictures of them in history books.Some of the sculptures were in the shape of wheeled vehicles pulled by the prancing animals.
    Elias stepped up onto the platform.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Hannah asked uneasily.
    â€œThere was no time to look around last night. I just want to check something.”
    He disappeared into what looked like a control booth. Hannah followed and stopped beside the carousel.
    Virgil appeared from behind a concession stand and chortled excitedly. He dashed to the carousel and hopped up onto the platform. He scurried through the various figures, and finally chose his ride. He vaulted up onto the driver’s seat of one of the carriages. The vehicle was harnessed to a pair of the hooved creatures and looked like something out of an Old World fairy tale. The cab was enameled in white and trimmed with gilt. The windows looked like they were made of dark mirrors.
    Something about the mirrors worried Hannah.
    â€œBe careful,” she said.
    She wasn’t sure if she was speaking to Virgil or Elias. Both, she decided.
    â€œThis is crystal-based tech,” Elias said from inside the control booth. “I think I can rez it.”
    â€œProbably not a good idea,” Hannah said.
    Elias ignored her. A few seconds later, music sounded through hidden speakers. The carousel began to rotate.
    Virgil bounced up and down on the driver’s seat of his carriage, chortling madly.
    â€œOh, for pity’s sake,” Hannah said. “This is so dumb.”
    But this time she was speaking to herself. Neither of the males was paying any attention to her.
    The carousel went faster. The glass eyes of the sculptures started to heat with an