Американские боги

           "Areyouscared?"askedMr.Ibis.

           "Notreally."

           "Well,trytocultivatetheemotionsoftrueaweandspiritualterror,aswewalk.Theyaretheappropriatefeelingsforthesituationathand."

           Shadowwasnotscared.Hewasinterested,andapprehensive,butnomore.Hewasnotscaredoftheshiftingdarkness,norofbeingdead,norevenofthedog-headedcreaturethesizeofagrainsilowhostaredatthemastheyapproached.Itgrowled,deepinitsthroat,andShadowfelthisneck-hairsprickle.

           "Shadow,"itsaid."Nowisthetimeofjudgment."

           Shadowlookedupatthecreature."MisterJacquel?"hesaid.

           ThehandsofAnubiscamedown,hugedarkhands,andtheypickedShadowupandbroughthimclose.

           Thejackalheadexaminedhimwithbrightandglitteringeyes;examinedhimasdispassionatelyasMr.Jacquelhadexaminedthedeadgirlontheslab.Shadowknewthatallhisfaults,allhisfailings,allhisweaknesseswerebeingtakenoutandweighedandmeasured;thathewas,insomeway,beingdissected,andsliced,andtasted.

           Wedonotalwaysrememberthethingsthatdonocredittous.Wejustifythem,covertheminbrightliesorwiththethickdustofforgetfulness.