Американские боги

           Nowimaginethatyoucouldeatnothingbuthoney.That’swhatit’slikeformykindofpeople…wefeedonbelief,onprayers,onlove.Ittakesalotofpeoplebelievingjustthetiniestbittosustainus.That’swhatweneed,insteadoffood.Belief."

           "AndSomais…"

           "Totaketheanalogyfurther,it’shoneywine.Mead."Hechuckled."It’sadrink.Concentratedprayerandbelief,distilledintoapotentliqueur."

           TheyweresomewhereoverNebraskaeatinganunimpressivein-flightbreakfastwhenShadowsaid,"Mywife."

           "Thedeadone."

           "Laura.Shedoesn’twanttobedead.Shetoldme.Aftershegotmeawayfromtheguysonthetrain."

           "Theactionofafinewife.Freeingyoufromdurancevileandmurderingthosewhowouldhaveharmedyou.Youshouldtreasureher,NephewAinsel."

           "Shewantstobereallyalive.Notoneofthewalkingdead,orwhateversheis.Shewantstoliveagain.Canwedothat?Isthatpossible?"

           WednesdaysaidnothingforlongenoughthatShadowstartedtowonderifhehadheardthequestion,orifhehad,possibly,fallenasleepwithhiseyesopen.Thenhesaid,staringaheadofhimashetalked,"Iknowacharmthatcancurepainandsickness,andliftthegrieffromtheheartofthegrieving.

           "Iknowacharmthatwillhealwithatouch.

           "Iknowacharmthatwillturnasidetheweaponsofanenemy.