Unremarkable (Anything But) by Lindy Zart Page A

stormed toward him, stopping when their faces were inches away. “Would you rather stay here, not knowing who will find you next?”
    He cocked his head, his gray eyes studying him. “Maybe you would.” Turning away, he said, “Tie him up, but he stays. His UDK buddies can decide what to do with him. Honor goes with us.”
    “I don’t—” Juli began.
    “ I decide where I go, not you ,” Honor interrupted.
    Incredulity flashed across Christian’s angular face. “You want to stay here? With the person who shot you?”
    “ I didn’t mean to shoot her. I was aiming for you .”
    He snorted. “Even better. You want to stay with the person who can’t aim worth shit?”
    Ryder snapped his teeth together, wanting so badly to bash Christian’s face in.
    “ You can’t leave Ryder here. If other UDs find him, they might kill him!” Natasha burst out.
    He looked at her and noted how pale she was. He’d forgotten she was even with them.
    “So?” Christian cast a baleful look her way.
    “ You want me to train you? Ryder’s ten times better than I am. Bring him too,” Natasha stated, her quivering lower lip giving away her nervousness.
    “ He’s more trouble than he’s worth. Be glad he’s being tied up and that’s all we’re doing to him.”
    Natasha didn’t respond, going tight-lipped.
    “We need to stop arguing about what we’re going to do and just do it. I’m leaving. I hope you don’t wait too long to follow, Christian.” Juli started toward a dark chamber, Natasha’s arm firmly in her grasp as she ushered her forward. Others were following behind her.
    Ryder wondered what the hell Natasha was doing in the tunnels anyway, but as far as her safety was concerned, he wasn’t especially worried. She could handle herself, and the UDs may be fugitives, but they weren’t savages; at least, he didn’t think those particular ones were anyway. He told himself she would be okay, but it didn’t really make him feel any better. Were any of them really okay?
    Soon only Christian, Ryder, and Honor were left.
    Christian beckoned with his hand, impatience hardening his sharp features. “Honor. Come. We need to go.”
    She resolutely shook her head. “No. I want to go my own way.”
    He hesitated.
    “She said she’s not going with you,” Ryder snapped.
    Honor glanced at him, and then turned to Christian. “Someone is looking for me. I can’t go with you.”
    “Let me guess: Nealon?”
    She didn’t answer, briefly looking down. Ryder frowned, watching the way Honor pressed her lips together, her stance defensive. What the hell was that? Nealon? Nealon was old , at least in his mid-twenties. What was going on between the two of them?
    Christian’s voice was low as he said, “You did me a favor once. I’m inclined to do the same for you. It is clear you are on the run for some reason. If you go with me, I can offer protection.”
    “Maybe someday I’ll take you up on that, but not today,” Honor said with a dim smile.
    “ Fine. Just…try not to get yourself killed.” He looked pointedly at him. “Again.”
    Ryder smirked, but it wasn’t a pleasant one.
    Christian glared at him. “Stay out of my way, Delagrave, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
    “ Same to you. I thought you were tying me up?” he called after his retreating back.
    “ Not my problem anymore,” the UD said over his shoulder
    “ Wait! Why wasn't there anyone in that town? In Lodi? It seemed deserted.” He needed to understand something . Nothing was making sense.
    Christian paused long enough to say, “Because the UDKs came and wiped the town out. It wasn't the first time and it won't be the last.” He disappeared into the darkness of the passageway.
    “What? Why?” There was no answer that time. Why would they do that? Confusion tightened his features.
    Honor said quietly, “Don't try to understand it. Chaos is forming. That's all you need to know.”
    He turned to face her, reaching for her. “It doesn't matter right