Американские боги

           Ithinkweshouldalltakeamomenttomeditateonthat."

           AndMr.Nancyclearedhisthroatandsaid,"So.Igottosayit,becausenobodyelseherewill.Weareatthecenterofthisplace:alandthathasnotimeforgods,andhereatthecenterithaslesstimeforusthananywhere.Itisano-man’sland,aplaceoftruce,andweobserveourtruces,here.Wehavenochoice.So.Yougiveusthebodyofourfriend.Weacceptit.Youwillpayforthis,murderformurder,bloodforblood."

           Townsaid,"Whatever.Youcouldsaveyourselvesalotoftimeandeffortbygoingbacktoyourhomesandshootingyourselvesintheheads.Cutoutthemiddleman."

           "Fuckyou,"saidCzernobog."Fuckyouandfuckyourmotherandfuckthefuckinghorseyoufuckingrodeinon.Youwillnotevendieinbattle.Nowarriorwilltasteyourblood.Noonealivewilltakeyourlife.Youwilldieasoft,poordeath.Youwilldiewithakissonyourlipsandalieinyourheart."

           "Leaveit,oldman,"saidTown.

           "Theblood-dimmedtideisloose,"saidthefatkid."Ithinkthatcomesnext."

           Thewindhowled.

           "Okay,"saidLoki."He’syours.We’redone.Taketheoldbastardaway."

           Hemadeagesturewithhisfingers,andTown,Mediaandthefatkidlefttheroom.HesmiledatShadow."Callnomanhappy,huh,kid?"hesaid.Andthenhe,too,walkedaway.

           "Whathappensnow?"askedShadow.