Tomb Raider: The Ten Thousand Immortals by Dan Abnett, Nik Vincent Read Free Book Online

was a man in a blue blazer. I saw a guy like that get on the train, so I wanted to get a photo of him. Et voilà .” She held up her phone to show the picture.
    She hated to lie, but she’d had to work out some excuse when she’d realised she hadn’t taken a shot of the bloke in the blazer before she’d switched carriages. The game had been real, and Sam was in hospital, so it was at least a lie based on a truth.
    “I hope he feels better soon,” said Willow.
    “She,” said Lara. “Samantha.”
    “Are you in Oxford to study?” asked Josh. “What do you study? You didn’t say.”
    “It’s just a visit,” said Lara. “One meeting. I don’t plan to stay long. I’m an archaeologist. Mostly, I like to dig.”
    “I plan to specialise in ancient art when I get the chance,” said Willow. “It’s a fascinating subject.”
    “It is,” said Lara.
    The remaining fifteen minutes of the journey were mostly spent talking about art and archaeology. Lara liked Willow. She was drawn to the girl’s enthusiasm. She was bright and very aware, but she was also an innocent. Lara found Willow’s naïveté more than a little refreshing. The boys might have teased her, but they clearly respected her too, and she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. There was something about her that reminded Lara of the girl she used to be, not so very long ago.
    As the train arrived at Oxford, Lara picked up her rucksack and turned to Willow.
    “Are you doing anything?” asked Lara.
    “Right now?” asked Willow. “No. I’m technically free until two.”
    “Good,” said Lara. “Come and have tea with me at the Randolph.”
    “The Randolph!”
    “What’s wrong with the Randolph?” asked Lara.
    “The Randolph’s fab,” said Willow. “I’ve never had tea at the Randolph. I’ve never had anything at the Randolph. Is that where you’re staying?”
    “No,” said Lara. “My meeting’s this afternoon. There’s plenty of time to get back to London. “I have stayed there, though. It was one of my father’s favourite hotels.”
    “It’s very grand,” said Willow. “I’m not sure I’m dressed for it.”
    “We can go somewhere else, if you want,” said Lara.
    “Not bloody likely,” said Willow.
    “The Randolph it is, then,” said Lara. “Now, let’s see if we can get a cab.”
    “Taxis and hotels,” said Willow. “I think I’m going to make you my new best friend.”
    The five boys and two girls left the station together. Lara made sure that she was in the middle of the group. She said good-bye to the guys at the taxi rank, and got in the cab first to avoid being seen by the other passengers leaving the train.
    She’d had a quick look around on the platform and outside the station, but she hadn’t seen Blazer Bloke again.
    Maybe I really am being paranoid, she thought. Try to relax, Lara. Just for a couple of hours, try to have some fun. It’s the anxiety getting to you. It’s different things for different people. For you, it’s Yamatai. It’s loud noises and being pursued. But this isn’t Yamatai. This is Oxford, and you’re safe here.

    Chapter 7
    W hen they had lingered long enough over what turned into a light lunch, rather than the morning tea they had planned, Lara and Willow walked through Oxford together. They crossed from town to gown, walking along Broad Street and around the Sheldonian Theatre before ducking down Queens Lane to drop Willow off at St. Edmund Hall.
    Another minute and Lara was crossing the High Street. Two minutes after that, she was walking into Front Quad at Merton College with its paving and cobbles and its ancient stone buildings, including the imposing chapel at the north end. She turned to take in the magnificence of the architecture and the immaculate surroundings. Everyone should have the good fortune to study in such a glorious place.
    She turned again, taking in the fine, stone mullioned windows and the grand, arched doorways. She found the door the porter had