Sands of the Prophet — Russell C. Connor

SURVIVE THE DESERTAfter escaping the town of Ida, Korden Bright and his new companions--jinko addict Meech Holcomb; expectant parents Rand and Lillam; snake oil salesman Tarmon Doaks; rogue Filament slave Zeega; and, of course, telepathic artificial intelligence S.T.O.N.E.--flee into the harsh wilderness of the Valley of Bones. Their goal: find the origin point for the Prophet's broadcasts and convince him to aid in Korden's quest.Behind them rides the villainous Heater Kay, host to a dangerous imagination-devouring entity named Loathe, and a growing army of Incarnates intent on slaughtering them all.Korden's small band of mistrusting strangers will have to find common ground as they forge through the deadly Valley. On the other side, the Prophet waits, but nothing is quite what it seems in this world...