There are a thousand ways to die in the desert-desperate outlaws, deadly predators, murderous elements, and betrayal. . . Kaitar Besh, a veteran scout as legendary for his cynicism as his skills, is ordered to brave the deadly Shy'war-Anquai desert one last time. Escorting Leigh Enderi-a greenhorn Enforcer with a reputation as shady as his own-he soon realizes the ghosts of his past have come to haunt more than his nightmares. When the mission breaks down in the wake of bitter hatred and mistrust, even Kaitar's fabled talent may not be enough to bring them home again. Stranded in the red wasteland without contact, food, or water, they uncover a betrayal that could bring all they hold dear crumbling to the dust. . . and tear down the wall of lies surrounding them. --- Salt in the Water is the first book in the "A Lesser Dark" series, a sci-fi/fantasy "grimdark" western that crosses several genres. The book includes explicit violence, strong language, and mature themes. First publication September 9th, 2016 , on Createspace and Amazon.com No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the authors-with the exception of brief quotations embedded in articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Cover illustration by LEG Giordano Visit our social media site for updates on new book releases: https://www.facebook.com/authorSCushaway/ https://twitter.com/SRCushaway