Американские боги

           AllofthethingsthatShadowhaddoneinhislifeofwhichhewasnotproud,allthethingshewishedhehaddoneotherwiseorleftundone,cameathimtheninaswirlingstormofguiltandregretandshame,andhehadnowheretohidefromthem.Hewasasnakedandasopenasacorpseonatable,anddarkAnubisthejackalgodwashisprosectorandhisprosecutorandhispersecutor.

           "Please,"saidShadow."Pleasestop."

           Buttheexaminationdidnotstop.Everyliehehadevertold,everyobjecthehadstolen,everyhurthehadinflictedonanotherperson,allthelittlecrimesandthetinymurdersthatmakeuptheday,eachofthesethingsandmorewereextractedandhelduptothelightbythejackal-headedjudgeofthedead.

           Shadowbegantoweep,painfully,inthepalmofthedarkgod’shand.Hewasatinychildagain,ashelplessandaspowerlessashehadeverbeen.

           Andthen,withoutwarning,itwasover.Shadowpanted,andsobbed,andsnotstreamedfromhisnose;hestillfelthelpless,butthehandsplacedhim,carefully,almosttenderly,downontherockfloor.

           "Whohashisheart?"growledAnubis.

           "Ido,"purredawoman’svoice.Shadowlookedup.BastwasstandingtherebesidethethingthatwasnolongerMr.Ibis,andsheheldShadow’sheartinherrighthand.Itlitherfacewitharubylight.