Американские боги

           Shadowbegantofeelheadachy.Therewasapoundingqualitytothestarlight,somethingthatresonatedwiththepulseinhistemplesandhischest.Atthebottomofthenexthillhestumbled,openedhismouthtosaysomethingand,withoutwarning,hevomited.

           Wednesdayreachedintoaninsidepocket,andproducedasmallhipflask."Takeasipofthis,"hesaid."Onlyasip."

           Theliquidwaspungent,anditevaporatedinhismouthlikeagoodbrandy,althoughitdidnottastelikealcohol.Wednesdaytooktheflaskaway,andpocketedit."It’snotgoodfortheaudiencetofindthemselveswalkingaboutbackstage.That’swhyyou’refeelingsick.Weneedtohurrytogetyououtofhere."

           Theywalkedfaster—Wednesdayatasolidtrudge,Shadowstumblingfromtimetotime,butfeelingbetterforthedrink,whichlefthismouthtastingoforangepeel,ofrosemaryoilandpeppermintandcloves.

           Wednesdaytookhisarm."There,"hesaid,pointingtotwoidenticalhillocksoffrozenrock-glasstotheirleft."Walkbetweenthosetwomounds.Walkbesideme."

           Theywalked,andthecoldairandbrightdaylightsmashedintoShadow’sfaceatthesametime.Hestopped,closedhiseyes,dazzledandlight-blinded,then,shadinghiseyeswithhishand,heopenedthemoncemore.

           Theywerestandinghalfwayupagentlehill.Themisthadgone,thedaywassunnyandchill,theskywasaperfectblue.