Lara Croft and The Sacred Orb

[The Angel Of Darkness]

by CsAngel from fanfiction.net
I have her permission to post this!!
Link on site: www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1837952





Chapter 1: Stranger in Moscow




Russia, Moscow.

It was a bright evening. The light of the full moon was shining on the quiet streets of Moscow. On this time of the day all inhabitants are inside, safe. It’s never safe to walk outside in this part of the city at this hour. The Russian mafia rules the night here and they want no one to disturb it. However there is one person who lacks the rules of the Russian mafia. Lara Croft’s boots connected with the street after she stepped out of her car. It was four in the morning but Lara was wearing her sunglasses. Black leather pants covered her legs and over it was a black top. She was too coldly dressed for this time of the season. It had snowed the last couple of days but that didn’t seem to bother Lara at all.

Behind her back were Lara’s guns, on trips and especially places like this she always brings them with her. She almost never leaves without her guns and when she does, she always has a knife inside her boot. Lara started walking to the other side of the street. She was on her way to Vladimir. He was the closest person to get too for information about Lara’s latest research. When information is hard to get it’s always certain there are wrong people involved. Vladimir only wanted to talk when Lara offered him a large amount of money. The information better be worth the money or else Lara would show him her guns from very close.

She knocked on the door thrice and waited for it to open. A short man who looked to be in his sixties opened the door. At first he looked at her on a way that she wasn’t welcome. Then he smiled at her.

“You must be Lara Croft?” His English was heavily accented. “Yes.” Lara simply replied. “Alright, where is the money?”

Lara felt her eyebrow moving up. Was this guy serious, he hadn’t even allowed Lara inside yet and he’s already asking about the money. “Excuse me? Wouldn’t it be appropriate to show me inside first? And what about you’re useful information? I haven’t heard any of that as well.”

The man started laughing. “No it does not work that way silly English woman, first you pay then we talk.”

This man must think Lara is some sort of fool. “That’s a possibility but,” Lara slipped one of her guns from her back and pointed it at Vladimir “I could also force you to tell me and after that I’ll shoot you. That way it won’t cost me any money, only a bullet.”

Suddenly the smile on Vladimir’s face was wiped away. “Fine, come inside quickly, the eyes of the mafia are burning in our backs.”

Vladimir showed Lara upstairs. It was a miracle the stairs were still standing. Actually it was a miracle that the entire house was still standing. Once they were upstairs Lara was showed inside a small room. Small man small room, nice combination, Lara thought. He offered Lara a seat on the couch and then he took a seat on a chair. A table stood between them, with on it a glass filled with vodka.

“Alright English woman, I will give you you’re information, then you will leave immediately.” Lara shrugged “Fine by me.”

“Good, here have a look at this.” He placed a small diary on the table, it was labeled with the title, The sacred orb.

Lara started reading through it and soon found a map. “Where does the map lead to?” Vladimir rubbed his chin and at the same time he took a sip from his vodka. “It leads to the key of the orb.”

“The diary says nothing about the location of the orb, do you know where it is?” Vladimir nodded “Yes I do. It is in the hands of the Russian mafia. Yuri Mostovoi is his name. Very dangerous man, he is you’re enemy now English woman.” Vladimir placed his vodka back on the table and leaned back in his seat.

Suddenly the short silence in the room was disturbed by gunfire. Immediately Lara dived for cover. On her way down a bullet had connected with the glass of vodka. A splinter from the glass made a cut the left side of her face. Bugger, that must be Yuri, nice introduction from Vladimir. Lara was forced to stay on the ground, the gunfire wasn’t stopping. From what Lara could tell there were two shooters. It was time Lara started firing back. If she had listened correctly one of the shooters was standing directly behind the door. She lifted her hand over the edge of the couch and started shooting. She had no idea what direction she was shooting at but when she heard a loud thump she knew she had hit one thug.

Only just now Lara realized that Vladimir was dead. His motionless body on the floor was lying in a large pool of blood. Bugger, pour fellow. It did make Lara decide to take the diary with her, he won’t need it now anyway. Meanwhile the storm of bullets had stopped and the door swung open. Lara peered underneath the couch to see if someone was entering, no footsteps yet. She aimed her gun forward so that if someone would enter Lara could shoot his leg and when he falls down she could finish the job. The she heard footsteps, slowly step by step a pair of feet was entering the room. “Good boy” Lara whispered, then she shot his leg, the man screamed out in pain and fell down on the floor. Lara waited until they had eye contact, when they had Lara waved him a hand kiss and then she rushed a bullet right between his eyes.

Slowly and still on her guard Lara was back on her feet and walked over to the thug. She searched him and found nothing but some magazines for his AK-47 and some cigarettes. All the sudden Lara could feel a sharp pain at the side of her head. She fell to the floor and was a little dizzy. From her blurry sight she could just see a woman attacking her with the back side of her gun. Lara rolled over to evade it and kicked the gun out of the woman’s hands. Quickly Lara got on her feet to face the woman. She looked Asian and in her early thirties. She attacked Lara and her fist connected with Lara’s ribs. This woman is strong and fast, but so is Lara. Lara replied with a roundhouse kick. The woman landed against the wall but stayed on her feet. But before the woman had found her balance Lara knocked her out.

“Its best to leave, who knows how many more there are.”

Lara peered outside to see if there still was someone around. When she saw no one she hurried downstairs. Lara kicked the door open and sprinted outside. Once she looked to her left and right Lara noticed there were at least a dozen more of these thugs.

“Bloody hell, I didn’t know I was that famous.”

Behind Lara was an alley, Lara thought of it as a perfect escape route. While Lara hurried to the ally she could feel bullets flying close pass her ears. Lara didn’t bother to shoot back, she’s outnumbered. Footsteps and bullets were following her, all she could do was running away from the Russian mafia.

Lara looked forward and saw a left turn coming close. Once she’d reached it she turned left. Then Lara stopped. On her right hand was a small staircase. “Perfect, I’ll just climb up and tilt the stairs up so they won’t see it.” Quickly Lara climbed up the stairs. When she had reached the roof she lifted the staircase just in time. One half of the mafia thugs turned left as well while the other half walked straight ahead. They hadn’t even noticed her climbing on the roof. The best thing to do now was to continue her way over the roofs, quietly. It wasn’t that hard to jump from roof to roof. The space between them was really big. After five minutes Lara had reached the end of the quarter. In front of her was her hotel, finally. Lara jumped down from the roof and walked over to the hotel. A warm bath and a good night sleep were the first two things on her mind.

Russia, Moscow.

Next morning.

The diary had told Lara that the key to the orb was in Italy, Venice to be precise. Before she was planning to go there Lara decided to go back home first. She needed some gear that was still at her house. After Lara had called Hillary to look them up and to call Shugrave she packed her single bag and checked out of the hotel.

“I’d like to check out please.” Lara placed the keys on the desk. The receptionist accepted them and started ticking on the keyboard of the computer.

“Alright Lady Croft thank you for staying in our hotel. Before you leave there is a man waiting for you in the lobby.”

Lara raised her eyebrow. “A man? Did he tell you his name?”

“No but I can tell anyway, it is Mr Mostovoi.”

Lara was surprised by this. How was this possible? Yesterday his men wanted her dead and now he wants to talk to her. Should she go inside the lobby? Maybe she should, if she does not there will probably be some of his men waiting outside to catch up with her. The lobby was on the other side of the reception. She walked over the expensive wooden floor of the hotel until she had reached the lobby. The lobby floor was covered with carpet, also very expensive. It wasn’t difficult to see who Yuri was, in the left corner of the lobby at man, middle aged, accompanied by three bodyguards. For his age he seemed to be in good shape. He was muscled and had black hair and an unshaven chin. His expensive black tuxedo and his arrogant look told Lara he wants people to see he finds himself important. Lara could tell one thing, she wasn't impressed at all. Before she walked over to the table she ordered a glass of vodka. With the glass in her hand she accompanied Yuri.

“Ah lady Croft, I’m glad you could make it. Please have a seat.”

“Thank you but I’d rather stand. To what do I have he honor to be invited by Russia's most famous caviar and drug farmer.”

Yuri smiled and stood up from his seat. “No Lady Croft the honor is al mine after all I’m the one who meets a beautiful woman and beautiful women are those I honor most.”

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 2: Yuri Mostovoi




Lara was not impressed by Yuri’s formal kindness. It was nothing but acting what he did, and he lacked at it as well. “The word beautiful can be subscribed in many ways Mr Mostovoi, but I have neither time nor the willing to explain them to you. So if you please tell me why you wanted me dead yesterday and now we are standing here and you want to speak with me.”

Lara saw she had made Yuri confused. “Excuse me? I can not recall a moment from yesterday about me ordering my men to murder you.”

Lara frowned. She placed the glass of vodka at her lips and moved her head backwards. In a matter of seconds her glass was empty and she smashed it at the table. “Well I can recall the moment I was with a person who had information for me, when suddenly gunfire came out of nowhere and my contact was shot. You’re not telling me that you know nothing about it.”

Yuri started laughing. He walked around the table until he stood next to Lara. “Lady Croft, I came to see you here because I want to ask you’re help about an ancient artifact I am interested in. Anything that happened to you yesterday had nothing to do with me. You’re useless to me when you’re dead.”

Lara could guess what for it was he wanted her to help with, but if it weren’t Yuri’s men who attacked her yesterday, who was it then? “Well that’s encouraging to know. But if you’re men weren’t the ones who attacked me yesterday, I’d like to know who did.”

Yuri shrugged and started walking from left to right with his hands behind his back. “I think I could answer that question. If there was an Asian woman with you’re ambushers that is.” Lara’s frowning eyebrows told Yuri the Asian woman was their too. “Yes there was, and a rather strong one as well.” Vladimir had stopped walking, he now stood about two meters from Lara. “Ah yes that’s correct. That woman is Sara Tanaka, she used to work for me, yes, unfortunately she had betrayed me for a man who has been my enemy for many years.” His voice had a trace of bitterness, it was certain that bitterness had nothing to do with the loss of Tanaka but with the fact Yuri is forced to kill her if he gets the chance.

“It seems that you’re enemy has become mine as well and I love to know who it is.”

Yuri didn’t answer her and walked back to his seat, on his way he had short eye contact with Lara, he noticed her look was impatient. “Our enemy goes by the name of Chen Lo.”

Lara’s eyes widened with surprise. “Chen Lo?” she said.

“Yes Chen Lo, do I recognize a tone of confusion? Would you be familiar with this man?”

Lara’s memories went back to the past. The moment that she and Terry were taken by Chen Lo’s brother. Chen Lo took Lara for a talk but the talk ended up in a fight, a fight Lara had won. But for some reason Chen Lo was still alive, while Lara was certain that the knife she tossed at him had landed straight in his heart.

“Yes I know him. He had killed three good friends of mine.”

Yuri clasped his hands. “Ah a good reason for you and me to work together.”

Lara folded her arms. “Now why would I want to do that?”

“Because we share an enemy and we are looking for the same thing.”

Clever from Yuri to face Lara as an ally and not as an enemy. Maybe Lara should do the same. But off course Lara also knows that when she has found the key to the orb Yuri too will be her enemy.

“You see my dear I have the orb and you have the map to the key. If we work together we are much stronger.”

For a moment Lara started thinking of her chances to get out of this unharmed. If she rejects Yuri’s offer Yuri hunt her down until he has the key. If she cooperates with Yuri she could at least get the key without many problems. But after she has the key Yuri would want to have it and use it on the orb, which will have great consequences. Still Lara knew she has to make a choice between these two options.

“Alright I’ll work with you, on one condition.” Yuri smiled. “Anything, just name it.” Lara showed a grin. “I will get the key to the orb alone and you will make sure Chen Lo and his goons stay of my back.” “Deal.”

Yuri stood up again and held out his hand waiting for Lara to accept the deal. Lara accepted it and the two were shaking hands. “Good, now if you gentlemen would excuse me, I have a plane to catch.”

Lara turned her back and exited the lobby. She said goodbye to the manager who strangely enough was waiting for Lara to leave, and walked outside. Outside there was a limousine two gentlemen were standing in front of it.

“Lady Croft, orders from Mr Mostovoi, he had asked us to take you to the airport.”

A smile was formed on her face “How lovely, but I’d rather take my own transportation.”

On the left side of the limousine stood a bike, a Kawasaki ninja. From her bag she removed a helmet and put it on. “Goodbye gentlemen.” The engine of the motorcycle was started and in a flash Lara was on the road to the airport, leaving the two men behind like a bunch of lunatics.

At the same time Yuri exited the hotel. “She had declined the offer sir.” On of the two men said.

“So I see, then I’m forced to take other messieurs.” Yuri turned to the man standing on his right. I tall muscled man. His head was cleanly shaven, but you couldn’t say that of his beard. “Benjamin, I want you to take four men to follow Lara to Italy. When she has the key you will catch up with her and fly her and the key back to Russia, both in one piece. We might run into some complications that Lara could help us with. Although I am quite sure she will not be willing to help on her free will, but we will worry about that when we have the key.”

Benjamin nodded. “Yes sir, consider it done.” Benjamin entered the limo. “O yes, one more thing.” Yuri kneeled down to face Benjamin in the limo.

“Yes sir?”

“Make sure Chen Lo keeps his nose out of our business.”

Benjamin smiled and then he closed the door. The limo started driving, leaving Yuri and two more men behind. But right after the limo followed another one. The door opened and Yuri entered the limo together with the two men. Then they drove away from the hotel, back to Yuri’s house.

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 3: Rome




Interlude

Rome, 1492

Dominique was running through the underground passageway of the Roman palace. Explosions and screaming echoed through his head. But he had to ignore it. He could still remember what the priest had told him.

"Hurry Dominique they must not get the orb." The priest had pressed the orb in his hands. He was asked to protect something he knew nothing about. "What does it do Padre?" The priest was willing enough to explain on their escape route. "This is the Sacred orb of Rome. It is used for good but when it gets into the wrong hands it means the end of the world. Dominique, it fore fills wishes." This had confused Dominique a little. "But Padre if it does why don't we wish the enemy away?" The padre stopped walking. "No my son, it does not work this way. You can only wish if you speak the right words, words that are hidden in a key and the key is in their hands."

Now it all made sense to Dominique. And he knew their lies a heavy burden on his shoulders. "Where must I take it?" The padre placed his hand on Dominique's shoulder. "I do not know my dear friend. Just run…" Just after the Padre said this, an arrow ripped through his heart. For a second Dominique looked in the eyes of a strong tall man standing for about a hundred meters away from him. Then he started running.

The man was still behind him and every now and then arrows fly by his head. Dominique didn't dare to look back, too scared of what or who was behind him. Then the light of sun was coming closer. This gave Dominique more faith and he started running even faster. The light was coming closer and soon he was outside. Once he was outside he was forced to a stop. "God please help me…" Dominique looked down at a ravine. It was a long way down, far too long to jump. He turned around and saw three men coming closer. There was no way out, he was trapped. Dominique closed his eyes and took a full breath, he had made his decision. "The lot of the world is in my hands…so be it…" he walked over to the edge and closed his eyes. The orb was pressed tightly against his chest and then…he jumped.

England, Buckinghamshire

Croft Manor

The sound of Lara's boots connecting with the floor sounded through the hallway. Lara's walking speed was high. And Hillary who was walking right behind her could hardly keep up with her. "Lara, at least ask Mr West with you, I think it's too dangerous to do on your own."

Suddenly Lara stopped and Hillary almost bumped into her. "Hillary, I'm a big girl I can take care on my own. You of all people should no that." Lara held up her hand and Hillary replied by handing her the gun belt with the skull up front.

"Yes I know that but…" "Good end of discussion." She started walking again and entered the garage. Inside the garage Bryce was waiting with Lara's guns and rucksack. "Thank you Bryce."

As their eyes met Bryce made a gesture at Lara to try and talk some sense in her head but he changed his mind. A little late though, Lara had already seen the look in his eyes. "What?" she said in her soft English accent. "Nothing" Bryce said and turned back to the exit of the garage. "Bryce…" Lara was not planning to let Bryce slip away that easy, however, Hillary interfered "Lara Bryce thinks it's too dangerous, just as me. Are you sure you…"

"Must we have this conversation again? I am going alone end of discussion."

Just then the sound of a helicopter sounded through the garage doors. "Ah, seems to me my transportation has arrived. Goodbye boys, see you in a few days." A little irritated Lara exited the garage. She knew Bryce and Hillary were concerned about her and she was glad they were. But Lara knows what she is up against and she has a few backup plans waiting. All she needs was Shugrave's help.

China

Chen Lo's hide out

Chen Lo was on the phone with his wife when suddenly Jin, one of is best friends entered his office. "Chen Lo!" Chen Lo placed his hand on the horn and looked at Jin. "I'm on the phone Jin, come back later." He placed the phone back at his ear and continued his conversation with his wife.

"But I have information referring Lady Croft."

Immediately Chen Lo stopped talking "Hold on honey." Again he placed his hand on the horn. "What about her Jin?"

"She's on her way to Venice."

Chen Lo's eyes almost smiled when he heard this news. "Good work Jin. Gather three men and wait for me with the helicopter, I'll be there in a minute." Jin nodded and exited the office. Chen Lo placed the horn back at his ear and finished his conversation with his wife. The he grabbed his guns and exited his office to make way for the helicopter.

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 4: Double Crossed




Italy, Venice

Lara stood before the entrance of Via de la Rosa. She had Vladimir’s diary in her hands with the page of the map facing at her. It was what she least expected. The map she was looking at was a map to an underground place under the Via de la Rosa, the secret hide out of the Illuminati. How was this possible? If the Illuminati had known about this key, they also should have been looking for the orb. Hold on a second, maybe they already did. After all it’s Yuri who has the orb and he would be a fool to tell Lara who’s after it and where it is. He could even work together with the Illuminati. However there was no time to stand here and worry about her enemies. She has to find a way in, undetected off course. No doubt the Illuminati have not forgotten about Lara. Her path leads her to water that was floating around the Via de la Rosa. She put on her diving suit and jumped in the water. Before she started diving she placed her guns in her backpack. They were water proof but when it comes to her guns she never wants to take any chances. A flashlight was the only light that could show her where she was going and after only a minute of swimming she found something that looked like an entrance. A small hole was located north of the Via de la Rosa. It was just big enough for two normal people to get through. Lara swam through it and saw a light coming from above her. Before she decided to swim up she looked to see if there was anything valuable. A shining object at the bottom caught her attention. A closer look at it told Lara it was a strange looking scepter. It was about twenty five inches tall and made of pure gold. There was also something written on it. The language seemed to be Italian.

Those who want back the power of the light, should use this scepter right.

It could mean many things but Lara knew it meant one thing, it looked important so she decided to put it in her backpack and then she swam up into the direction of the light.

The light Lara had seen had leaded her to the surface of the underground hide out. The chamber she was in could not be bigger then three by three meters. In front of her was a door. It took Lara a lot of effort to open it. So when the opening was big enough for Lara to fit through she stopped pushing and went through the opening. At the other side of the door Lara saw nothing but darkness. She lit her flashlight and aimed it in front of her. Lara looked down at an endless hallway leading downwards. Her right eyebrow moved up while she looked for the map. The map told Lara she was going into the right direction, although there was only one direction, straight ahead.

The hallway was not as long as Lara had expected. It was only for about five minutes walking. Again there was a door standing in her way. Only this one easily opened. It only took Lara one step to find the reason behind it. She looked upon a rainfall of darts. “Off course, a typical Italian thing.” Lara narrowed her eyes trying to make a perfect timing to slip through the darts. The end of the room was about ten meters away, if Lara looses her concentration for only a second, she would be dead. She started counting till three and then she sprinted through the darts, half way she stopped. A sharp pain on her left upper arm bothered her. One of the darts had left a deep cut on her arm. No further attention was paid at her arm as she already sprinted through the darts. “Ow, bugger.” Lara had reached the other side of the room but the final dart left a cut on her ankle. It didn’t stop Lara and she opened the door to the next room.

A sudden coldness rushed over her body as she entered the next room. A strong breeze was blowing through the room and it was rather cold inside. She looked around to see she’s in a room completely made of ice. “A rather strange occurrence.” She said. Knowing that stranger things had happened during her adventures, Lara stopped mumbling and walked into the cold to look for the key. Except for the floor the entire room was covered with ice. The altar in the centre, the skeletons next to it. All the souvenirs from the builders of the temple, the statues, everything except for the floor. Lara walked over to the altar. A thin layer of ice covered the top of the altar. With her leather fingerless gloves she wiped some ice of it. There was something written on it, in Latin. Lara tried to read it.

The power of the light can only be taken by those with a pure soul. If not, evil will take control and the abuse of the light will destroy the world.

“Reason enough for me to keep it away from Yuri and Chen Lo.” Lara continued removing the ice from the altar and recognized two symbols. A square and a triangle, she remembered she’d seen them with the statues that were standing next to the entrance. Lara walked back to them and removed the ice that covered them. Both of them held one half of the key. Carefully she removed them from the statues. “Well that went rather easy.” A good look at the key showed her that it was made of pure gold. She placed the two pieces together and they fit perfect. “So that’s just it? I easily find the key put them together and I can leave.” Lara bit her lip and started thinking. “It can’t be that easy for something so important.” She was right, it was too easy, and there was something behind it. So she decided to go back to the altar. Her hand moved over the cold surface, searching for a clue. There was nothing to be found. Then she kneeled down and removed some ice from the front side of the altar. “Aha, what do we have here?”

The front side of the altar had a key graved inside it. Lara’s purple fingers from the cold moved over it. Her eyebrow rose for an inch when she decided to place the key she had found in the keyhole. A bright light was what followed next. It took for about twenty seconds before the light was gone. All the sudden the ice was gone and t started to get much warmer inside. Then a soft thump sounded. Lara looked down and looked upon the key. Only the key was no longer made of gold. When Lara grabbed it from the floor it weight much lighter and it felt like wood. “Guess I was right,” Lara shrugged “I’m always right.” She added to it on a sarcastic way.

When she stood up again she felt the cold metal of a gun connecting with the back of her neck. Someone had entered the temple without Lara noticing it. Lara cursed at her self for letting her guard down that easily. A hand was placed on her shoulder and pushed her on her knees. The gun stayed exactly where it was and forced Lara to listen to her ambusher, if she does not a bullet would definitely connect with her head. “Lady Croft, so nice of you to kneel down before me.” Her eyes widened, it was Chen Lo. So either Yuri had double crossed her, or his men weren’t good enough to hold down Chen Lo.

“Chen Lo, such an unpleasant surprise.” Lara tried to turn around but Chen Lo held his hand on her shoulder. “No Lady Croft, you stay on you’re knees and be a nice girl.” His hand moved to Lara’s guns and he safely tossed them away from her. Then his hand moved to her backpack and he ripped it from her back. “Jin, get the key.” When he said this Lara knew he wasn’t alone. Obvious, the last time they were together Chen Lo got his arse kicked, which Lara gratefully would want to do gain.

“Now you can get up.” He removed the gun from her neck and took two paces back. Slowly Lara stood up and turned around, looking Chen Lo straight in his eyes and behind him stood four more men. He hasn’t chanced much since she last saw him. He looked the same except for his hair. It was much shorter, he was almost entirely bald.

“My god you look terrible. What happened to you’re hair?” Chen Lo didn’t react on Lara’s sarcasm. Only a soft shrug left his mouth. “I’m glad you like it. Personally I thought you would be more interested in me standing here and not lying in my grave.”

Lara lightly lifted her shoulders “It did cross my mind, yes.” Chen Lo smiled and reached into his back pocket. In his hand rested a medallion. He tossed it at Lara. The medallion now rested in Lara’s hands, it was damaged. Damaged by the sharp tip of a knife, Lara’s knife. When Lara opened the medallion she saw two pictures, a boy and a girl. “They truly are angels aren’t they?” They were pictures of his daughter and son. “Yes, such a shame their father is a devil.” The flat hand of Chen Lo connected with Lara’s face for this remark. It only felt like a needle pressing into you’re skin, however it was the second time he had hit her and it was getting very annoying.

[The Angel Of Darkness]

continued.....


“If anyone should be a devil it should be you.” Chen Lo lowered his gun and turned his back at Lara. His confidence in the four men behind him was high. They all had their guns aimed at Lara, so he could easily drop his for a few moments. “Because of you my brother is dead and my organization almost collapsed.”

“I offered you an alternative, you declined it. So don’t blame me for you’re brothers dead.” Chen Lo ignored her and paid full attention to Jin who was holding Lara’s bag. “You’ve found it?” Jin nodded and handed the wooden key to Chen Lo. He held the key up and carefully studied it. Satisfaction was clearly visible on his face and once the key was safely placed into his own bag his attention turned to Lara again. He started walking circles around her and an annoying smile covered his face. “Funny isn’t it, it’s the second time you find something for me, and save me a lot a trouble.”

“If it ends the same as the first time I don’t mind.”

It was time to get out of this place. Lara was given enough time by Chen Lo to find a way out. The door from which she had entered the temple was blocked but Lara had noticed there was another exit. At the top of the temple peered some sunlight. To get there she had to climb, and to climb up she has to take down Chen Lo and another four men, seemingly impossible but for Lara nothing is impossible. One second was all Lara needed. If he lets his guard down for only a second Lara could strike.

Chen Lo had stopped walking. He stood face to face with Lara again with his hands behind his back. “It is time.” He said. Two men immediately walked over to Lara, while Chen Lo removed his gun from behind his back. The two men both grabbed Lara by her shirt and tried to hold her steady. But Lara wouldn’t be Lara if she didn’t give up a good fight and tried to break free. Her struggles were stopped abruptly when Chen Lo’s gun connected with her cheek. “You really are a devil Chen Lo, too lazy to fight like a man.” He tried to form a smile but it was cut of when the door behind Jin and the other man flew open, caused by a rather big explosion. They were blasted away and so was the bag which contents the key.

Everyone in the room was surprised, everyone but Lara. Lara took this opportunity to break free. She banged the back of her head against the man on her left. The man screamed out in pain and let go of Lara’s arm. Her left arm was now free and she used it to knock out the other man that was holding her. The two men were down. All this happened in a matter of seconds. She looked in front of her but Chen Lo was gone, with the key. “Bugger, where did he go?” From where used to be the door only followed smoke from the explosion. Then someone walked through it. A tall muscled man with a bald head entered the temple, in his hand rested an Ak-47. Hold on a second, Lara knew this man. She recognized him from her meeting with Yuri. He’s one of Yuri’s goons.

Lara nodded at the man, the man nodded back and warned her about the threat behind her. “Behind you.” He said half Russian and half English. Lara turned around to see Chen Lo was about to shoot her. In a short reflex Lara jumped down and felt the bullet gazing flesh from the left side of her body. At the same time Lara saw her guns, while she fell down she reached for one of them and aimed them at Chen Lo. It wasn’t needed anymore, Yuri’s goon had already started firing of his rifle. It started raining bullets again only this time Lara knew she was not to be harmed. The man didn’t stop shooting until his chamber was empty.




will post the rest of the chapters soon

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 5: Just Lucky



Dust from the sandy surface covered Lara’s face and clothes. She wiped it away and walked over to Chen Lo’s body. He was full of holes all of them still seeping blood. In his right hand was the bag that was holding the key. A glance inside of it told Lara it was still there. She retrieved the bag and let her eyes fall on Chen Lo’s neck. “Bloody hell…” She moved her hand to his neck and grabbed hold of a large piece of skin. Hold on a second no it wasn’t his skin it was…a mask.

“This bugger isn’t Chen Lo.” Now she looked at a complete different man, much younger as well. It was Jin “He double crossed me, which means that the key…” Lara removed the key from the bag. She looked at it and saw it was not the real key “is still with Chen Lo.”

“Over there.” Yuri’s goon already stood next to Lara and pointed at the escape route Lara had wanted to go through. Chen Lo just reached it and soon was out of sight. “Bugger.” Lara holstered her guns, grabbed her backpack and sprinted to the wall which led to the exit, the other man followed her shortly. It was obvious that climbing was one of Lara’s many skills, however the Russian wasn’t that good at climbing. It was no problem at all for Lara, she had to try and keep this fellow away from her. Yuri would surely not allow Lara to escape.

In a matter of seconds Lara had reached the top. She looked around and was startled when she saw where she had ended up in. “Whoops, better get out of here.” She was inside the Via de la Rosa. She saw the large thrones she had sat on together with Powell and the all Seeing Eye was still there as well. It was almost as if the eye was watching her and warning his masters for the unwanted intruder. Shivers ran down her spine at that thought and she quickly sprinted outside to where Chen Lo must have gone too as well. Once outside she caught up a distance figure running into the city. “Oh no you don’t.” Lara started running after him but it was hard to track his trail. It was busy at the city, which made it hard for Lara to follow Chen Lo.

She wormed through the crowd and at the same time she looked out for Chen Lo. But actually she should give up it was like seeking for a needle in a haystack. Then a short flash through the people had caught Lara’s attention. She saw someone sneaking into a side street. “Bugger, that must have been him.” The running speed of her legs started to increase. Once she had reached the side street her speed was slowing down. It was a dead end. One of her guns was removed from its holster and Lara held it in front of her, ready for a sudden strike from Chen Lo. By the time she was half way a presence showed up behind her. Lara had felt this and immediately turned around.

The barrel of Chen Lo’s gun was a few inches removed from her face. However Chen Lo was in the same situation as he too looked straight at a gun. “Here we are again.” He said almost smiling. Lara held her lips sealed, she stayed calm and focused her eyes at the man standing in front of her. “You are hard to walk away from Lara.”

A grin was formed on her face “That’s because I’m in good shape.”

“Obviously not good enough to kill me.”

“You were just lucky.”

Chen Lo shrugged at Lara’s words. But deep inside he knew he was lucky to be still alive, Lara was a strong woman and with their first run in he had underestimated her, something he would not do again. And if he had to play unfair to accomplish this, so be it. He removed the key from his pocket and twirled it around like a toy. “Here it is…” However Lara paid no attention to the key and kept her eyes focused on Chen Lo. Suddenly he tossed the key over Lara. Lara was confused by this action and not sure what his intensions were with this. Her doubts were gone when she felt a gun connecting with the back of her head.

“Surprise Lady.” A female voice said. “Drop you’re weapon.” Softly cursing at herself Lara dropped her gun. At the same time she felt the woman removing the other one from her gun belt.

“Looks like I’m lucky again, doesn’t it Lara?” she raised her shoulders “So it seems but everyone will run out of it someday and so will you.”

Chen Lo only laughed at Lara and refused to continue this part of the conversation. “I believe you two have already met?” Chen Lo introduced the woman who finally appeared in front of Lara. It was Sara Tanaka, Yuri’s sworn enemy. Lara did not reply and only looked Sara in the eyes. Sara looked back, smiled at her and delivered a punch at Lara’s jaw. “Now…we’re even.” Sara said. Well aware of the fact that Lara once had said the same thing to Chen Lo.

This woman was pretty strong and fast, Lara had already noticed that with their first meeting. Her jaw hurt like hell although Lara didn’t even flinch at the strong strike from the woman. However Lara was in rather much trouble, Chen Lo and Sara were both aiming their guns at her. Lara’s life was in their hands and that’s not very comfortable to depend on. Somehow Lara has tot try to distract one of them, so that a way to escape has a larger possibility of succeeding.

“Time to go, Sara kill her.”

Sara nodded and removed the safety from her gun. At the sound of the click Lara made a fatal decision. Lightning fast Lara’s left hand smashed the gun out of Sara’s hands. At the sight of this Chen Lo aimed his gun at her. Immediately Lara pushed Sara against Chen Lo and the two stumbled down on the ground. Quickly Lara made her way to the streets again but something hard connected with the back of her head and she landed hard against a container. The world was spinning, Lara shakes her head for a clear sight and tries to stand up. However Chen Lo stood with her and let his boot connect hard with Lara’s ribs. Tears of pain almost left her eyes but were put away quickly when Chen Lo wanted to kick her again. She blocked his attack, grabbed his leg and twisted it.

He screamed out in pain as Lara pushed him aside. In the corner of her eyes she saw Sara attacking her. Lara turned and could only just block her attack. A left punch followed which Lara could also just block but stumbled backwards. Lara’s short loss of balance was enough for Sara to strike again with her right fist. She had hit Lara at her cheek again and she stumbled down against the cold wall behind her. Just as Sara pulled out a knife and wanted to stab her, a man appeared at high speed and smashed his shoulder hard against her side. Sara was send backwards for over more then three meters.

“Hey Croft are you alright?”

The voice was recognized by Lara and she was glad he was here. It was Shugrave, no wonder Sara was over more then three meters away. Shugrave’s heavy weight and muscled body will do that to you. It will be a miracle if Sara hasn’t broken anything.

“Yes I’m fine.”

Shugrave held out his hand, Lara accepted it and allowed Shugrave to lift her up. “Let’s go.” He said but Lara had no intensions of leaving yet. “Hold on, I have to get the key.” Still a little dizzy Lara made way to Sara to get the key. There was no sign of life left in the woman. The key was in her jacked pocket but quickly removed by Lara and ended up in her backpack.

“Hurry Croft, there are Russians, Chinese and Italians after you.”

Lara grabbed her guns from the ground and hurried over to Shugrave. “Italians? Bugger must be the Illuminati.”

“I don’t know who they are but their pissed of, now let’s go. My car is over there.”

They hurried out of the side street and entered an old Honda Civic. Immediately Shugrave drove away. Every now and then he glanced in his back mirror to see if anyone was following them, but it all seemed safe. He looked beside him and saw Lara rubbing her jaw. It was a bit swollen and it hurt like hell.

“You sure got you’re ass kicked in there Lara.”

An angry look was aimed at Shugrave. “Watch you’re mouth tough guy.” She said still rubbing her jaw. “What? Can’t take a little critic? And what about a thanks, I did safe you’re life you know.”

Lara looked at him and couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Alright you win, but that woman was pretty strong, I think she might have killed me if you hadn’t shown up, therefore a thanks would be appropriate yes.”

“Alright, so where are we going?” Shugrave said and took another turn and continued driving. “Fabio’s Pizza.” A confused look was aimed at Lara. Was Lara hungry? No off course not, well she might be but she wouldn’t go to a pizza store for some eating at a moment like this. “A friend of mine works there, he’ll give me shelter for a few days.”

That explained a lot “Alright then, Fabio’s it is.” After they both shared a broad smile a complete silence followed until they had reached Fabio’s pizza.

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 6: From Ally to Enemy



Russia, Moscow

Yuri Mostovoi was bubbling in his jacuzzi when suddenly his cell phone rang. He cursed at himself for not wanting to be destroyed and looked who it was. It was Benjamin so he decided to answer it.

"Da this is Yuri."

"Yuri this is Benjamin, I am afraid I have some bad news."

Yuri sighed and already knew what the bad news would bring.

"Lady Croft has lost the key to Chen Lo?"

"No sir Lady Croft has the key."

"Really? Then what is the bad news comrade ."

"Lady Croft has escaped from my grasp, she had help from a stranger."

For a moment there was no answer from Yuri. But you could almost hear him thinking. Benjamin would think twice of disturbing him in this silence.

"Alright I will deal with Lady Croft, what about Chen Lo?"

"Chen Lo has escaped as well sir…"

"You idiot, I should take you're head of. With Lady Croft having the key all problems are coming in our direction."

"I apologize sir, I promise to make it up to you."

"Yes you better."

Yuri was disturbed by a knock on the door.

"Hold on for a second Benjamin." Yuri looked at the door "Yes, come in."

The door opened and Yuri's butler entered "Sir Mr White has arrived." Yuri nodded at his butler and continued his conversation with Benjamin.

"This is what I want you to do Benjamin, stay in Venice while I arrange a meeting with Lady Croft. I will call you back for the details later."

Without further notice Yuri hung up. He stepped out of his jacuzzi and wrapped a towel around his middle. A trail of water drops followed Yuri to his couch where he seated himself. At the same time the door opened. A blond man entered. He wore some jeans and a black sloppy t-shirt hung over it. His hairy chin proved it had been a few days since he last moved a razor over his chin.

"Ah Mr White how nice of you to see us in such a short notice. Please have a seat."

"No thank you, I'd rather stand."

Yuri shrugged, the man didn't look too happy and Yuri couldn't blame him. However it was important to contain a partnership with this man, he had proved to be a very useful contact.

"Mr Mostovoi the Via de la Rosa was ambushed today, ambushed by Lara Croft. It doesn't please me at all, I thought you said the situation was under control. Obviously you've underestimated her."

The eyes of the two men were burning. It was as if these two men were fighting a war, there was no trace at all of them being partners.

"I did not underestimate her Mr White, I am well aware of Lara's capabilities. The situation is under control. I'll have her in captivity at the end of tomorrow and after she has translated the key for me you and you're Illuminati friends can have you're revenge. In the mean time I suggest that you keep you're team ready while I find out where our dear friend is hiding."

Mr White narrowed his eyes, there were still many doubts in them. Yuri could clearly see the man didn't trust him. The reasons behind his doubt were correct. Because when Lara is finally captured and back in Russia Mr White will no longer live to see another day.

"Alright but if you fail to find her, I will let the Illuminati find her and I can guarantee you that when her faith is in their hands you can forget about the key being translated because a dead woman can't talk."

A slight nod followed and then Mr White exited the room. Yuri shrugged and walked over to a small closet. He opened it and the fresh smell of caviar entered his nose. He inhaled it and reached for a bottle of vodka. The bottle was placed at his lips and he moved his head back. He stopped drinking until the bottle was half full. Then he looked at his cell phone. "Time to make a phone call."

===

Italy, Venice

"I'll be alright from here, thanks for you're help…once again."

Shugrave had brought Lara to Fabio's Pizza. He had to drop her of from here on because he had to be back in England in two hours, if not he would be more then wiling to help her. However Lara said it was best to do this alone, things were going much better now she has the key.

"Alright good luck Lara and if you need me to pick you up just give a call."

A wink was aimed at him and then she exited the car. She looked at the entrance of the store and smiled. "Well let's see if dear Fabio still remembers me." Her hand reached for the door and it was pushed open. It was busy inside, there were a lot of children from around sixteen or seventeen. They produced a lot of noise and next to that there was also house music echoing through the speakers of a large stereo.

A waiter passed Lara "Excuse me, I'm looking for Fabio."

The waiter pointed at the other side of the store. "He's in his office."

A kind thanks was given by Lara and then made her way to the office door. But when she was ten meters away from it the door opened. A man in his thirties exited. His brown sloppy haircut betrayed himself, it was Fabio. Fabio froze in his tracks when he saw Lara coming closer.

"Voi? Oh no, no, no, no…"

As quickly as he could he hurried back inside the office. Lara could hear he locked the door. She grinned and kicked the door open.

"Maledizione."

Fabio cursed when Lara entered his office, uninvited. He desperately searched through his drawers, probably looking for his gin. However he stopped when Lara stood next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Fabio my dear friend."

Her tone was sarcastic and teasing. She could understand why Fabio was afraid of her. Actually he wasn't really afraid of her, he was more afraid of the trouble Lara brings with her. The last time she was with him his entire pizza store was torn apart and he received a bullet right inside his rear end. It made Lara laugh when she thought of it again.

"Croft get out of my store."

"Now that's not very nice to say to an old friend is it?"

"Not very nice? The last time you showed up I got shot in my estremità. And you're telling me I'm not nice, dear god."

Without any words and only a raised eyebrow Lara was able to make her point. Fabio shakes his head and crashed down on his seat. He reached for a cigarette, put in his mouth and lit it.

"Alright Croft what can I do for you."

Lara walked over to the other side of the table and took a seat on it. Her hand reached for the cigarette and she pressed it out on the table.

"These things will kill you." She said while she tossed the cigarette on the floor. "I want to stay here for a day to get cleaned up and a good night sleep."

Fabio wanted to protest but Lara cut him off.

"I can promise you there won't be a bullet entering the store, or you're arse."

"Alright, alright, follow me."

Instead of walking to the office door, Fabio moved the fire place aside. What followed was a staircase going downwards. At the end of it was a room big enough for three people to live in.

"You can stay here, only for a night." Fabio said with an expression on the last few words. Lara only nodded in reply and waited for Fabio to leave. She could hear him saying some fine Italian cursing before he entered his office again. It made Lara smile. A quick look around showed Lara there was a bath room on the right side of the room. Except for that there was also a table and a couch.

"No TV? And I couldn't help but thinking Fabio couldn't live without one."

Smiling at herself Lara tossed her backpack on the couch. Her path to the bathroom was disturbed when her cell phone rang. "Bugger, can't I get a rest today?" She walked back to the couch and removed the cell phone from her backpack.

"Hello." She said while she landed on the floor.

"Ah Lady Croft, how wonderful to hear you're voice again."

Lara already recognized that terrible Russian accent. And she should have expected his phone call. Yuri's goon was unable to track Lara down and now Yuri needed another approach to lure Lara back to Russia.

"Oh…it's you, how is the caviar doing, does it smell good?"

A hoarse laugh sounded through the other side of the phone.

"Yes…well the caviar is fine my dear, but what about the key."

Lara moved her hand to her backpack she removed the key from it and started looking over the key very carefully.

"The key is doing fine, he looks terribly beautiful."

"Off course it does, I wouldn't have thought different, but I was thinking off something else." A short silence followed then Yuri continued talking "When will you bring that beautiful key to Russia?"

Lara's answer was quick and short "Never."

"I'm afraid that was not part of our deal."

"Really? Well I'm afraid that I only asked you to let me get the key without Chen Lo bothering me, which you failed to do so by the way, there was no agreement of me bringing the key to you."

There was no answer following from Yuri. That means Lara was right and Yuri is pissed off. Lara had won the first battle of a war that wasn't over for a while. That means Yuri will not give up, but Lara had already expected this.

"So it has come to this has it?"

"Yes so it seems."

"So be it then, you had you're chance and wasted it. I now will go by my own rules and will no longer see you as an ally."

Lara shrugged at the threats of the Russian "I had never seen you as an ally Yuri, it would be foolish to think I ever did. Now if you'll excuse me I have better things to do then babbling with a Russian fool."

Almost proud of herself for these words Lara turned of her phone. For a few moments she closed her eyes. She was tired and beaten up. A good shower and some rest would probably do her good. But she had to make sure not to rest for too long. A man like Yuri has enough resources to find Lara. It would probably take him half a day to find her so Lara could only rest for four, five hours tops. Right now Lara would be pleased if she had an hour to rest, so with four hours of resting Lara had no complaining.

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 7: An Army Of Goons


Five hours later

"Lara…Lara wake up"

Before he knew Fabio was looking at Lara's gun, the cracking sound of the safety made him swallow deeply.

"What…is it Fabio?"

Lara lowered her gun and sat up straight at the couch. Fabio wiped some sweat from his forehead and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"There are men in my store, they are asking for a woman with you're description, I think their Russian or something."

"Bloody hell…"

Immediately Lara jumped from the couch and gathered her things. In ten seconds she was packed and ready to go.

"Quickly you can get out from the back door."

Fabio walked to the bath room and moved the mirror aside. A small opening which probably will be big enough for one person to sneak through was visible. Shivers ran down her spine at the though she had stand before that mirror naked a few hours ago without knowing that any person could just sneak in.

"Thank you Fabio, I owe you one."

While Lara walked upstairs to the back door, her last four words echoed through Fabio's ears. "She owes me one, wow I never thought she would say that to me. I really should remember it for the next time she decides to take difficoltà with her."

The heavy peeping door opened and Lara was outside. She looked out at an alley. There was one on her right and there was one on her left. After she saw one man had seen her, Lara decided quickly and took the right one. She started running and at the same time she dialed a number on her cell phone.

"Bryce speaking."

"Thank god, Bryce it's Lara. Remember that little airport we were at during our adventure with Powell and the Illuminati?"

"Oh the one with the triangle and clock right?"

"Yes, that one. I need you and Hillary to go there as soon as possible. I have a small army of goons following me."

"We will be there in three hours, will you be able to hold on that long."

Bryce had already left his trailer looking for Hillary. Luckily Hillary was working in the front yard.

"I don't think I have any other choice."

"What about Shugrave? Can't he pick you up?"

"No." Lara said.

For a moment she glanced backwards, immediately wishing she hadn't. Behind her were at least thirty men gaining on her. She couldn't see weather they were Russian or Chinese. But it didn't really matter who they were actually, except for the fact that the Russians want her alive and the Chinese didn't.

"Shugrave has other business he was unable to cancel, so you just hurry and I'll see you in three hours."

The cell phone was put back at its place and Lara continued running. She took a right turn but didn't stop running. A goon appeared in front of her, ready to shoot her. However Lara was one step ahead of him and placed a bullet between his eyes. Quickly she turned left. She could hear the voices of Russians coming closer.

"Bugger, I'll never be able to make it for another three hours."

The hunt for Lara lasted on she stayed in the alley's and was forced to shoot several of Yuri's men. Ammo was getting short, Lara had to think of something soon. At the end of another alley she turned left, immediately she put herself to a stop. In front of her were at least a dozen men, too many for Lara to fight. Quickly she turned around to go the other way. But that exit was blocked as well. A tall blond man stood before her, with his gun pointed at her head. After an hour Lara was forced to give up and surrender.

Disappointed Lara dropped her guns and raised her hands. The blond man laughed and grabbed Lara by her shirt. She looked upon his bare arm and saw the All Seeing Eye tattooed on it. So it was true, Yuri and the Illuminati were working together.

"Yes my dear, I'm with you're old friends. Too bad I have an agreement with Yuri, or else I would have been more then willing to kill you."

Lara smirked at the man. Not afraid at all she faced him like they have been enemies for many years.

"Well then, be a nice chap and let go of my shirt."

The man wasn't pleased with Lara's big mouth and pulled her even closer.

"The fact that I can't kill you doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

He let go of Lara's shirt but held his gun pointed at her. "Turn around" he said and Lara was forced to do so. When she was turned around she saw all the other goons. It surprised Lara she had hold on for so long. There were so many men Lara had lost count at thirty and she wasn't even half way. It was also the last thing she saw, a hard object, which probably had been the back of the Illuminati men's gun, connected with the back of her head and everything went black.

===

"Bugger, what's keeping her so long, Lara's never late."

For the last thirty minutes Hillary had been walking around like a worried father. They had agreed to meet at this small airport for almost an hour ago. There was no sign of Lara yet and Hillary started to think Lara hadn't made it. Well Bryce had the same thought but still they stayed waiting and hoping that Lara would show up all the sudden.

"They've got her don't they?" Bryce asked with the disappointment clearly leaving his mouth.

"I'm afraid so Bryce…"

"Bugger, if I get my hands on that bloody caviar freak…"

Suddenly Hillary had the faintest thought that Lara wasn't in Venice anymore. She would probably be taken back to Russia.

"Bryce stop nagging around and let's go into the helicopter."

Hillary grabbed Bryce by his arms and drags him back to the chopper.

"Hillary what the bloody hell are you doing?"

"Bryce these Russians want Lara alive, so if she's taken they will bring her back to Russia, so we are going to Russia now."

"Bloody hell Hillary you're right."

Bryce immediately stepped inside the helicopter and started it.

"Alright Lara, hold on we're coming."

[The Angel Of Darkness]

Chapter 8: That Bloody Russian



Darkness slowly started to change in light. Once the light was back a terrible pain at the back of her head moved up. She moved her hand to it and felt it was swollen. Carefully she sat up straight and started looking around. Lara was in what seemed to be a hotel room. She was sitting on a large bed. In front of her was the bath room and on her left the living room, occupied with a white leather couch a table and a cupboard.

On the other side of the bed room was a balcony. Lara walked over to it and opened the door. A cold wind was immediately blowing over her body, causing her hair that had fallen from her braid twirling around her face. Outside she could see she was back in Moscow. It was useless to escape from here on. The balcony was at least ten floors high. She walked back inside the bed room and turned around to close the balcony door. Once she turned around again Yuri stood on the other side of the bed room. He had startled Lara, she hadn't heard anyone entering the room.

"Good morning my dear, I trust you had a nice long sleep?"

"I'll bet it was long, but definitely not nice."

"Yes, off course. Well you have to forgive my American friend for that, it was the easiest way to bring you back to mother Russia. I don't think you would have been willing to cooperate, am I right."

Lara shakes her shoulders and walked over to the living room. A second of eye contact was enough for Lara to show him she wasn't pleased with the way she was brought hear, well aware of the fact off course that Yuri didn't care. She heard Yuri shrugging, following her to the living room. Lara tried to ignore him and looked up a bottle of vodka standing on the cupboard. Without bothering for a glass she pressed the bottle to her lips and took a strong sip of the vodka.

"Oh, careful now, I don't want you to be drunk while you're doing you're work."

"Pardon me?"

"Yes, if you like it or not, you are going to translate that key for me."

At those words Lara shrugged and quickly took another sip from the vodka. A not too big one this time, she had to stay focused off course.

"In you're dreams…"

She placed the bottle back at the cupboard and took a few paces closer to Yuri. They were now face to face, only the size of an egg was between them. Suddenly Lara moved her hand to Yuri's face. She stroked it gently and moved her hands downwards, she stopped when she felt his cell phone. At the same time she whispered something in his ear.

"Find you're self another translator for that bloody key."

Then she pushed him away and let her self fall down on the couch. Because Yuri was distracted with Lara's touch, she could easily remove the cell phone from his belt. Once she sat on the couch she hid it between the two seats.

Again Yuri shrugged, he walked to the door and threw his hands up.

"We'll see Lara, we'll see."

Lara waited till he left and immediately reached for the cell phone. She dialed the number of Bryce his cell phone and waited for an answer from the other side of the line.

"Lara is this you?"

"Yes it's me Bryce, I got caught, you have to come to Moscow."

"We're already on our way, where exactly in Moscow are you?"

Quickly Lara hurried to the balcony again. She looked outside to see if she recognized something. A rather large fountain on her left looked good enough. "I'm in a high building from here I can see a large fountain made of a man and a woman on my left side."

Suddenly Lara could hear screaming voices coming from the hallway. Yuri had found out Lara took his cell phone, she had to hurry.

"Bloody hell, Bryce I have to go."

As soon as Lara had hung up she tossed the phone of the balcony. Then she placed her arms over the edge closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pretending to have stand here for the last two minutes and not knowing anything about Yuri's cell phone. The door of living room smashed open and Yuri including two more men entered.

"Croft!" he yelled.

As calm as she was, Lara walked away from the balcony and exited the bed room. Immediately the two men aimed their guns at her and as an innocent girl Lara immediately raised her hands.

"Oh dear, missed me already?" she said sarcastic and immediately received a smack across her face for it.

"I know you took my cell phone, where is it?"

"I really have no idea what you're talking about, but if you don't believe me go ahead and search the room."

Yuri didn't need to think of that twice. His men immediately started searching and after searching everything twice Yuri still believed she had the phone. Luckily for her she was able to toss it over the balcony. He walked over to Lara and it was the second time in ten minutes they stood face to face.

"I know you had, or have that phone Lara. You can't fool me."

He pushed Lara aside and exited the room followed by the two men. A wicked smile was formed on her face. I can't fool him? Well I must say I pretty much did fool that bloody Russian. She landed on the bed and closed her eyes. Although it was good to know Bryce and Hillary were looking for her, she still had to find a way to escape and to destroy the key. Her thoughts drifted off and soon she fell into a deep sleep.

[HotShot]

wow looks good!
i have not red it yet
but i have saved it and read it later
and let you know what i think about it
i thing i want to know did wrote it all by your self!
HS