Американские боги

           Thestarswheeled,andhepassedhishundredhandsovertheglitteringstars,palmingthem,switchingthem,vanishingthem…

           Amomentofclarity,inthepainandthemadness:Shadowfelthimselfsurfacing.Heknewitwouldnotbeforlong.Themorningsunwasdazzlinghim.Heclosedhiseyes,wishinghecouldshadethem.

           Therewasnotlongtogo.Heknewthat,too.

           Whenheopenedhiseyes,Shadownoticedthattherewasayoungmaninthetreewithhim.

           Hisskinwasdarkbrown.Hisforeheadwashighandhisdarkhairwastightlycurled.HewassittingonabranchhighaboveShadow’shead.Shadowcouldseehimclearlybycraninghishead.Andthemanwasmad.Shadowcouldseethatataglance.

           "You’renaked,"confidedthemadman,inacrackedvoice."I’mnaked,too."

           "Iseethat,"croakedShadow.

           Themadmanlookedathim,thenhenoddedandtwistedhisheaddownandaround,asifheweretryingtoremoveacrickfromhisneck.Eventuallyhesaid,"Doyouknowme?"

           "No,"saidShadow.

           "Iknowyou.IwatchedyouinCairo.Iwatchedyouafter.Mysisterlikesyou."

           "Youare…"Thenameescapedhim.Eatsroadkill.Yes."YouareHorus."

           Themadmannodded."Horus,"hesaid."Iamthefalconofthemorning,thehawkoftheafternoon.Iamthesun.Asyouarethesun.AndIknowthetruenameofRa.