Chapter 13

Lara found an old, neglected guesthouse just a few blocks away from the Canal. The paint peeled off its dusty, cobweb-ridden walls. The uncared garden, looked horrible, with its tall wild grass and overgrown plants, even the fence was covered in vines. The wooden steps creaked with every step.

This place is falling apart.

Lara headed into the reception. The walls were covered with a brownish-yellow stain, and more cobwebs hung from each corner of the ceiling, the furniture caked with dust. She found an old lady sleeping on the desk, coffee mugs, and papers strewn across the wood.

"Sorry," Lara said, tapping on the counter to get her attention. "Sorry."

The woman raised her head and yawned, rubbing her eyes. "I'm terribly sorry. I must have dozed off," She stood up. "How may I help you?"

Lara shivered as the woman's eyes raked across her skin.

I'm guessing the mud and blood on me aren't looking so great. Not to mention the burned jacket.

"A room for just a day, please," Lara said, smiling.

"And you're gonna need some fresh clothes as well," the lady said, grabbing a set of keys and walking around the corner. "Am I right, Miss Croft?"

Lara gasped. "How do you know who I am?"

The lady pointed at the radio and looked at Lara with a brittle smile. "I've heard about what happened recently, Miss Croft, and just to let you know I believe you're not the killer."

"Why do you believe that?"

"Because, Miss Croft, the Cabal is the true villain behind the Monstrum killings. I believe they kept you alive for one reason."

The lady strolled to a door at the back and motioned for Lara to follow.

"How do you know all this?"

"This place was a stronghold for the warriors of the light."

The Lux Veritatis.

"And they don't use it anymore?"

"No, they're all dead. That I know of," The lady sighed as they went into a room full of clothes. "Last time I heard from any of them was before the battle in Turkey a few months back."

"I'm so sorry about the loss," Lara said. "But you said the Cabal kept me alive. Why?"

"Experience, I'm guessing. You've been known by the world for all your findings, Miss Croft. I believe the Cabal wants you to find something for them by forcing you on the run."

Great, just what I need.

"I told you too much already, Miss Croft, take anything you need here. Your room is down the hall. Please enjoy your stay," she said, leaving Lara alone.

Lara sighed and looked for some camouflage and army boots.

Now this will do just great.

Lara took the clothes and went to her room. After taking a long hot shower, she decided to open Werner's notebook again.

Here's something about the paintings.

"The Obscura painting was five 15th-century works of black alchemic magic, all lost, hidden by the Lux Veritatis," she reads. "Five Obscura Engravings, drawn copies of the paintings. Contain encrypted maps of the location of each painting."

Here's something else. Mathias Vasiley also sent Werner all four of them but kept the fifth.

There was something next to the engraving on the notebook.

"This is located beneath the Louvre. Must contact Lara for help,"

I'm sorry, Werner.

Lara sighed. She had an appointment at the Cafe with Zak.

Kurtis was on his phone inside his hotel bedroom, pacing up and down. He had to figure out how to break into the Louvre and find his brother while he spoke to the person on the other side of the phone.

"Steph, time's running low. We need to hurry,"

"I know, Kurtis, but tracking Eckhardt's movements like this isn't easy. William's also in Turkey, by the way. Just three hours ago."

"This is not good, Steph. If William's been captured and they've found the sleeper, it's just a matter of time until they have all the paintings together."

"Didn't you just tell me you have an outsider helping?"

"Yeah, but I'm gonna try to get her off the trail before she gets too much involved,"

"Kurtis, you know I've been watching the news. By now I know who you're talking about."

Great, don't tell me you believe in Miss Croft.

"I'm guessing you know it's the world-famous Lara Croft,"

"Yes, Kurtis, I wasn't born under a rock, you know." She sighed. "Look, Lara's a good asset but, don't underestimate her. She can get all the paintings before the Cabal."

"But then the Cabal goes after her."

"Kurtis, have you ever stopped and asked yourself if the Cabal kept her alive because they know what she is capable of?"

Shit, Steph has a point.

"No, I haven't thought of it like that."

"That means keep an eye on her and keep the Cabal off her back. That way, she'll trust you more and give you the paintings rather than get them taken off her by the Cabal."

"You got a point," Kurtis ran his hand through his hair. "Thanks, Steph. I'll call you later."

Kurtis placed the phone in his pocket and fell on his bed with a sigh. He couldn't believe how the morning had already gone.

"I'll need to make a plan to get the first painting from Miss Croft so that it's safe," Kurtis mumbled. "Even if Steph thinks she might help, I'm still not a hundred percent sure,"

Lara entered the Cafe and saw Pierre's shocked face. He quickly made his way to her but she just put her hand up, looking around and seeing Zak sitting in the same corner.

What's with that corner?

"Thanks for seeing me here," Zak said as she sat across from him.

"I need info. You seem to be the guy."

"You know the Cabal?"

"They're part of the Mafia in Prague."

"Yes, that's right but they use it as a front for real activity. They're a group of people devoted to bringing the Nephilim race back from extinction."

"The biblical Nephilim who died out after the flood."

"The one and the same. But they never died out. They lived after the flood, slowly dying out. Only one's left alive, and the other one, the sleeper."

"They want to awaken the sleeper. But how?"

"With the paintings. When all five are together they get the power to awaken the sleeper."

"What you're telling me is that the paintings need to be destroyed before the Cabal finds them."

"Yes."

"How do you know this?"

"Just say I'm with the light," he said.

You're a Lux Veritatis.

"I see. So are there more of you?"

"Just a few of us left I'm afraid. But be aware that one of them will be in the shadows watching and waiting."

"What do you mean?"

"Just remember what I'm telling you, Miss Croft."

"Wait, how did you know?"

"I read the paper before you came, and realized who I was dealing with. You're innocent in this."

"Thank you."

"Good luck, Miss Croft."

I need to plan how to break into the Louvre tonight.

In a dim room with statues lining each corner, looking like creatures of some sort, Eckhardt stood before a round table where members of the Cabal sat. He had a screen up behind him showing the true images of all five Obscura paintings. He'd painted them before the Lux Veritas painted over them again with religious images to hide them.

"Esteemed Cabal members, the day of your reward grows ever closer."

He rubbed his hand as he went around the table.

The members looked at him with curiosity.

"Our contact Professor von Croy located the first Obscura painting here in Paris for us. When we have it, we'll reassemble in Germany for the second painting. We also have the true location of the sleeper."

Karel, Eckhardt's right-hand man, looked at him with a big smirk on his face.

"How sure are you?" Karel asked.

"Sure enough that the sleeper is already on its way to the Strahov in Prague," Eckhardt said. "Gunderson."

"Master Eckhardt," Gunderson said.

A tall, bald man in his soldier uniform came up to Eckhardt.

Eckhardt placed his gloved hand on Gunderson's shoulder, a bluish glow seeping into his limb.

"Dispatch your team for the first painting."

"Immediately."