Read Online Resonance 4th Edits - Bleeding Worlds Bk 3 by Justus R. Stone - Free Book Online
Authors: Justus R. Stone
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tears as the original library of Alexandria burned. Of course, the destruction happened in stages, between accidents and invasions. An odd thing, knowledge. Men who’d sworn to never fight, who’d been branded everything from old, broken, or cowards, didn’t think twice about plunging into flames to save some ancient tome they valued. With cries of “humanity must know,” or “this book will change the world,” they threw away their lives—only to have some of those books used to enslave or further spread ignorance. Yes, knowledge was an interesting, and dangerous, thing.
But would the files be there? She’d heard the internet archives were copies of the entirety of the searchable internet, but what if the files were in the deep web?
She shook her head at the absurdity of her thought, then stopped herself, self-consciously checking to see if the others had noticed her internal struggle. Thankfully, they all seemed to be wrapped in their own thoughts. Not surprising—this was their world after all. And for all of them, it was the first time they’d returned since being cut off years ago. They had to wonder about others who’d been left behind—or those who didn’t survive.
But her own thoughts returned to the files. Deep web? No, he would never allow his notes to become so obscure. They’d questioned his research methods—and justifiably so—but he never wavered in his desire to make history accessible. If only she’d paid more attention years ago. Her last contact with him involved a myriad of questions about Delphic prophecies and her time amongst the Nords. Old, mad, Herodotus, trying to piece together the true history after thousands of years. She’d answered his questions and then dismissed their conversation within minutes of its end. A little more attention—more time spent in the world instead of playing at being part myth, part imaginary friend—and this information would be accessible in her mind.
“We’re here,” Marie said, breaking the group from their collective revelries. “Where should I park?”
“There,” Adrastia pointed toward the parking lot of the University of Alexandria. “It’s the least conspicuous spot and all we have to do is cross the street.”
Marie made a left into the lot, parked, and killed the engine.
“Was it just me, or did anyone else notice the lack of patrols that whole time?” she asked.
Adrastia was out of the car before anyone could reply, making her way across the street toward their final destination—the Biblotheca Alexandrina.
The architects intended the main exterior wall to look like a sun rising over a beautiful pool. They’d carved words in numerous scripts from around the world. It was meant to be a thing of inspiration, a beacon of light for the enlightenment of humankind. Quarter-moon light splaying across the wall made it look far more sinister. Instead of being inspiring, the shadows playing over the carved words made the various shapes crawl and slither like nightmare beasts waiting for prey.
The others jumped from the car in pursuit.
“Adrastia,” Jason called in a harsh whisper. “Are you insane? What if there’re patrols?”
She ignored him and walked across the street without any attempt to conceal her presence.
They bypassed the front entrance and made their way around the side of the building, working toward service entrances.
Adrastia stood aside from one door and motioned with her hand that Jason should work his magic.
He popped the lock, and they all filed inside.
Jason grabbed Adrastia’s shoulder.
“Seriously,” he hissed, “have you decided just to try and get us killed? That was some stunt just strolling across a major road without even checking for patrols.”
Adrastia shrugged his hand away.
“Marie was right, there have been no patrols. None since the first-and-only one we saw in Al Burj. And I doubt they were a true patrol, they were just doing wide circles, waiting to see if the car was
But would the files be there? She’d heard the internet archives were copies of the entirety of the searchable internet, but what if the files were in the deep web?
She shook her head at the absurdity of her thought, then stopped herself, self-consciously checking to see if the others had noticed her internal struggle. Thankfully, they all seemed to be wrapped in their own thoughts. Not surprising—this was their world after all. And for all of them, it was the first time they’d returned since being cut off years ago. They had to wonder about others who’d been left behind—or those who didn’t survive.
But her own thoughts returned to the files. Deep web? No, he would never allow his notes to become so obscure. They’d questioned his research methods—and justifiably so—but he never wavered in his desire to make history accessible. If only she’d paid more attention years ago. Her last contact with him involved a myriad of questions about Delphic prophecies and her time amongst the Nords. Old, mad, Herodotus, trying to piece together the true history after thousands of years. She’d answered his questions and then dismissed their conversation within minutes of its end. A little more attention—more time spent in the world instead of playing at being part myth, part imaginary friend—and this information would be accessible in her mind.
“We’re here,” Marie said, breaking the group from their collective revelries. “Where should I park?”
“There,” Adrastia pointed toward the parking lot of the University of Alexandria. “It’s the least conspicuous spot and all we have to do is cross the street.”
Marie made a left into the lot, parked, and killed the engine.
“Was it just me, or did anyone else notice the lack of patrols that whole time?” she asked.
Adrastia was out of the car before anyone could reply, making her way across the street toward their final destination—the Biblotheca Alexandrina.
The architects intended the main exterior wall to look like a sun rising over a beautiful pool. They’d carved words in numerous scripts from around the world. It was meant to be a thing of inspiration, a beacon of light for the enlightenment of humankind. Quarter-moon light splaying across the wall made it look far more sinister. Instead of being inspiring, the shadows playing over the carved words made the various shapes crawl and slither like nightmare beasts waiting for prey.
The others jumped from the car in pursuit.
“Adrastia,” Jason called in a harsh whisper. “Are you insane? What if there’re patrols?”
She ignored him and walked across the street without any attempt to conceal her presence.
They bypassed the front entrance and made their way around the side of the building, working toward service entrances.
Adrastia stood aside from one door and motioned with her hand that Jason should work his magic.
He popped the lock, and they all filed inside.
Jason grabbed Adrastia’s shoulder.
“Seriously,” he hissed, “have you decided just to try and get us killed? That was some stunt just strolling across a major road without even checking for patrols.”
Adrastia shrugged his hand away.
“Marie was right, there have been no patrols. None since the first-and-only one we saw in Al Burj. And I doubt they were a true patrol, they were just doing wide circles, waiting to see if the car was
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