Американские боги

           "No,"saidCzernobog."Imean,whenaplaceislesssacredthananyotherplace.Ofnegativesacredness.Placeswheretheycanbuildnotemples.Placeswherepeoplewillnotcome,andwillleaveassoonastheycan.Placeswheregodsonlywalkiftheyareforcedto."

           "Idon’tknow,"saidShadow."Idon’tthinkthereisawordforit."

           "AllofAmericahasit,alittle,"saidCzernobog."Thatiswhywearenotwelcomehere.Butthecenter,"saidCzernobog."Thecenterisworst.Islikeaminefield.Wealltreadtoocarefullytheretodarebreakthetruce."

           "Itoldyouallthisalready,"saidMr.Nancy.

           "Whatever,"saidShadow.

           Theyhadreachedthebus.CzernobogpattedShadow’supperarm."Youdon’tworry,"hesaid,withgloomyreassurance."Nobodyelseisgoingtokillyou.Nobodybutme."

           ShadowfoundthecenterofAmericaateveningthatsameday,beforeitwasfullydark.ItwasonaslighthilltothenorthwestofLebanon.Hedrovearoundthelittlehillsidepark,pastthetinymobilechapelandthestonemonument,andwhenShadowsawtheone-story1950smotelattheedgeoftheparkhisheartsank.Therewasahugeblackcarparkedinfrontofit—aHumvee,whichlookedlikeajeepreflectedinafun-housemirror,assquatandpointlessanduglyasanarmoredcar.