Copyright ©2008 Jenn Johansson


Chapter 1: The Weapon 

    Why was the fool girl out in the desert with a monsoon coming anyway? Cam shook his head and crouched further down beside the prison van. The wind buffeted his orange uniform around his body. The weight he’d lost in prison made everything loose on him.

    He watched Alexis Porter shade her eyes, trying to see through the opposite window. He was intensely grateful the van didn’t have any windows in the back. It ensured she wouldn’t see the guards inside, his guards, lying unconscious in the prisoner area. They wouldn’t remain that way forever. He needed to make his move soon.

    She shrugged, seeming to determine the van was empty—exactly as he’d hoped. Her long, dark curls whipped wildly in the turbulent air. Climbing back on her bike, it took all her weight to push down one pedal, straining against the rising wind. Amidst the waves of blowing sand it wasn’t long before he had difficulty making out her retreating form.

    He took a few deep breaths. When he cornered her she’d be wary. His appearance alone would draw her suspicion. There was nothing he could do about that now. He’d play the part. After searching so long, the girl was close. Finally, within his grasp.

    When he felt confident she wouldn’t turn around—Cam ran after her.

- - -

    Lexi’s sister and brother-in-law had only been gone for half a day and already she had broken their rules. Gwen and Lincoln would be angry she was going out to the desert alone, but they were out of town for the weekend. At sixteen, she thought such rules were a little silly anyway. 
    Besides, what am I supposed to do? Let the library book get ruined by the storm? I always forget to take the books back on time, but leaving it out in the desert during a monsoon—well, that would be a new low.

    At the moment, she couldn’t even remember the name of the darn book. She decided it must be cursed. She scowled at the violent storm clouds mounding above her. None of her other books did anything remotely this reckless.

    She slowed beside a small, white van. It was parked on the side of the desert road. It was clean and in good shape. An emblem was painted on the door, a government logo she didn’t recognize.

    The curiosity got to her and she hopped off her bike to get a closer look. The hood was propped open, so it probably broke down. It hadn’t been there long. In the blowing desert wind, it only took a few hours before anything white turned brown.

    She shielded her eyes against the gusting storm and glanced once more up and down the road. There was no one in sight. She wondered if they’d run out of gas. She hadn’t passed anyone walking into town.

    Whoever it was, she hoped they were staying indoors until the storm passed. If I weren’t so brilliant, I would’ve done that too. It doesn’t matter now though, I’m almost there anyway. Lexi ducked her head against the rising wind as it tugged on her jacket, threatening to rip it off her.

    After one final peek inside the empty vehicle, she shrugged, climbed back on her bike, and pedaled harder than ever. The wind, blowing directly against her, whipped her hair back and tied it in knots.

    This is just perfect.

    Panting, a drop of sweat rolled between her shoulder blades and her muscles strained to keep the bike moving against the buffeting winds. She frowned at the coming storm. Her face and arms already abraded by the stinging sand.

    The weatherman always underestimates the monsoon season. Doesn’t matter, I can handle the rain. I just hope I can get the book in my bag before it starts.

    She reached the crest of sand she’d been to only the day before with Gwen. Her sister had come out here to take pictures and asked Lexi to join her.

    Exhausted and sweaty, she dropped her bike off the road and ran to the top of the hill.

    As she descended the far side, the clouds exploded. Rain fell in torrential sheets, drenching her. She stumbled down the hill, blinking the water from her eyes. The book was on the ground, partially shielded by a rock from the sudden downpour.

    Lexi bit her lip then reached for it, her fingers outstretched. The book flew to her open hand. She stuffed it into her bag.

    She froze. Something was wrong. It was still raining, but she almost couldn’t hear it. The air rang. She stared mesmerized as every hair on her arm stood on end.  

    “MOVE!” The bellowed order echoed in the ringing air.

    She barely caught sight of his orange jumpsuit before the boy hit her. He struck so violently, her neck whipped backward. Their tumbling bodies careened toward a stone overhang.

    The air detonated where she’d been standing. A lightning bolt scarred the rock where her feet had been. Lexi couldn’t hear the scream tearing loose from her chest over the deafening thunder.

    More bolts of lightning shredded the sky. There was so much light.

    Her hand collided with a long rod as they hit the sand. She grasped it out of instinct, dragging them closer to the base of the rocky wall. It vibrated with her touch, jolting her with a shock that pulsated to the marrow of her bones. Her stomach felt like it was pulled through her head. Her body tore itself inside-out. The pain was excruciating, she couldn’t even scream. The boy next to her thrashed about in shared agony. A massive flash of blinding light filled her before everything faded to blackness.