Американские боги

           Otherswillbetold,bythosetheytrust.Thecameradoesnotlie."

           "Everybodylies,"saidWednesday.

           Shadowrecognizedthevoiceofthemanwithhisbacktothecamera.ItwasMr.World,theonewhohadspokentoTownonthecellphonewhileShadowwasinTown’shead.

           "Youdon’tbelieve,"saidMr.World,"thatwewillkeepourword?"

           "Ithinkyourpromisesweremadetobebrokenandyouroathstobeforsworn.ButIwillkeepmyword."

           "Safeconductissafeconduct,"saidMr.World,"andaflagoftruceiswhatweagreed.Ishouldtellyou,bytheway,thatyouryoungprotégéisoncemoreinourcustody."

           Wednesdaysnorted."No,"hesaid."He’snot."

           "Wewerediscussingthewaystodealwiththecomingparadigmshift.Wedon’thavetobeenemies.Dowe?"

           Wednesdaystillseemedshaken.Hesaid,"Iwilldowhateverisinmypower…"

           ShadownoticedsomethingstrangeabouttheimageofWednesdayonthetelevisionscreen.Aredglintburnedonhislefteye,theglassone.Theeyeburnedwithascarletlight.Theglintleftaphosphor-dotafter-imageashemoved.Wednesdayseemedunawareofit.

           "It’sabigcountry,"saidWednesday,marshalinghisthoughts.Hemovedhisheadandthescarletglitter-blurslippedtohischeek,aredlaser-pointerdot.Thenitedgeduptohisglasseyeoncemore.