Guild of Truth 02 - Shield from the Heart Read Online Free Page B

propped the door open an inch for an easy escape. He turned around to survey the area.
    It was like any other office building, Sydney supposed: empty lobby, two hallways leading in opposite directions to lead up behind the main wall. There were no decorations whatsoever. Along the ceiling was the impression of inverted stairs, which meant that they were above them behind the wall they were facing.
    She pointed to the ceiling. “Do you think they’re being held upstairs?”
    Joel tilted his head as if listening for something. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’m a little more worried about where the workers on duty are at.”
    Neither one of them spoke the one doubt that she was sure they were both thinking: What if no one was being held here at all?
    Footsteps came from down one of the hallways.
    Joel flew to the opposite hall and motioned her over.
    They slipped behind the cover of the front wall just as a man came around the other end. He was average height with dark hair, but with the poor lighting she couldn’t tell if it was black or brown.
    She exchanged a glance with Joel. They were both thinking the same thing.
    The man was too thin to be a hired guard. That left only one other option. He was hired because he had powers.
    Joel motioned for her to use her ability. She nodded.
    The man strolled through the lobby, his gaze catching on the ajar door.
    Joel crept out from behind their hideaway and carefully made his way over.
    The back of Sydney’s neck gave the appropriate tingle, letting her know that her Shield was up.
    Joel tapped the man on the shoulder. He spun. “You picked the wrong place to rob, buddy,” the man said as he grabbed Joel roughly around his neck.
    Joel wasn’t the least bit concerned. The man stared at Joel, his arrogant smile slipping when he realized his powers, whatever they were, were useless.
    “Something the matter?” asked Joel before he clocked him.
    The man went down.
    Sydney lowered her Shield. Not that Joel really needed his powers. That right hook took his opponent down. But just to be on the cautious side she ran over and injected him with her sedative.
    “Questioning my fighting ability, Syd?” Joel asked as they propped the man up in a dark corner.
    “Not at all,” she huffed. “Simply covering all possible means for interference.”
    “How much did you give him?”
    “Not too much, he should be out for a good half hour.”
    There was the scrape of a chair being moved upstairs, followed shortly by footsteps.
    Joel eyed their unconscious friend. “Coming to check on him?”
    Sydney strained her ears. What she wouldn’t give to be able to use Cali’s powers right about then to hear better. “I don’t think so.” The steps were getting further away.
    “We should move slowly then. There’s still two more up there.”
    She followed Joel as he took the stairs two at a time. The second floor opened up to a long hallway with doors on both sides. Some were open, others closed. The footsteps they heard could have gone into any number of those rooms.
    A chill slid down her spine. Were they being expected?
    Joel cursed under his breath.
    She joined him down the hall. “What?”
    “I think we found where they’re holding their captives.”
    He jerked his thumb at the sideways folder that rested in the holder that was mounted to the door. It was the same type of paperwork a doctor would have for their patients.
    Sydney’s stomach twisted. Was this it? Was her mystery man inside?
    Joel already had one of his gadgets out that would hack into the electronic lock on the door. “You should watch this,” he told her.
    “Why?”
    “Because we have no idea where the other two guards are and I’ll be a better look out. You can get everyone out of their cells.”
    He didn’t give her time to argue. Not that she would have. “See this?” He held up some kind of card that was connected to a small device he held in his hands. “Jam it into the slot here.” He motioned to the