Американские боги

           "Nowwewraphimup,"saidAnansi."Andwetakehimawayfromhere."

           Theywrappedthebodyinthemotelsheets,wrappeditwellinitsimpromptushroud,sotherewasnobodytobeseen,andtheycouldcarryit.Thetwooldmenwalkedtoeachendofthebody,butShadowsaid,"Letmeseesomething,"andhebenthiskneesandslippedhisarmsaroundthewhite-sheetedfigure,pushedhimupandoverhisshoulder.Hestraightenedhisknees,untilhewasstanding,moreorlesseasily."Okay,"hesaid."I’vegothim.Let’sputhimintothebackofthecar."

           Czernoboglookedasifhewereabouttoargue,butheclosedhismouth.Hespatonhisforefingerandthumbandbegantosnuffthecandlesbetweenhisfingertips.Shadowcouldhearthemfizzashewalkedfromthedarkeningroom.

           Wednesdaywasheavy,butShadowcouldcope,ifhewalkedsteadily.Hehadnochoice.Wednesday’swordswereinhisheadwitheverystephetookalongthecorridor,andhecouldtastethesour-sweetnessofmeadinthebackofhisthroat.Youworkforme.Youprotectme.Youhelpme.Youtransportmefromplacetoplace.Youinvestigate,fromtimetotime—goplacesandaskquestionsforme.Yourunerrands.Inanemergency,butonlyinanemergency,youhurtpeoplewhoneedtobehurt.Intheunlikelyeventofmydeath,youwillholdmyvigil…

           Adealwasadeal,andthisonewasinhisbloodandinhisbones.

           Mr.