BoneMan's Daughters (42 page)

“Then burn it,” he said.

“HE’S IN THE basement.”

Ryan bent over, lifted the flaming lantern, and walked toward the house, outraged by the realization that they hadn’t yet
finished. “I’ll burn it.” He stumbled forward, mind fixed.

“No!” Bethany cried. She raced up to him and grabbed the handle. She was going to stop him? Finally confronted by BoneMan’s
demise, she was unwilling to see him die? His hooks were so deep in her mind that she—

“I’ll burn it,” she said.

Ryan could hardly contain his relief.

They exchanged one long look of understanding, then turned as one and slung the lamp through the nearest window with a pronounced
grunt.

It smashed against the interior wood wall and doused it with oil, which burst into flame. They watched the flames crackle
down the hall, licking at the ceiling. The house was like a tinderbox. Pillars of smoke rose into the sky for all the world
to see. It was only a matter of time before the authorities arrived now.

“Take me away from this hell, Daddy,” Bethany said, turning away.

Ryan took his daughter’s hand and together they walked away from the burning house.

The End

And I will put enmity and hate and hostility

between you, the serpent, and the woman;

between your seed and hers.

You will strike his heel,

But he will crush your head.

—GENESIS

TED DEKKER is a
New York Times
bestselling author of more than twenty novels. He is known for stories that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible
confrontations between good and evil. He lives in Austin with his wife and children.