Among the impressions were traces of human and demi-human experiments—work that involved living subjects rather than simple materials.
And deeper still, layered through several of the signatures, were attempts to handle chaos energy—quintessence—itself.
Benjamin had a private name for that particular force.
He called it "the Big Bang": a coalition of more than one element of nature, forced together until they formed the original chaotic energy that had once played a great role in the creation of Elyndor.
That was extremely dangerous.
Benjamin remained motionless in the quiet stretch of lane for several long seconds after the pulse of sensing had fully withdrawn, letting the residual awareness of the district settle back into ordinary background noise.
His breathing stayed slow and even, his hands remained loose at his sides, but behind his eyes, the information was still turning over, sorting itself into patterns, refusing to be dismissed.
