Американские боги

           Theoldgodsandthenewones."

           "Youwantmetofightforyou?Youwastedyourtime."

           "IbroughtyoubackbecausethatwaswhatIhadtodo,"shesaid."It’swhatIcando.It’swhatI’mbestat.Whatyoudonowiswhateveryouhavetodo.Yourcall.Ididmypart."Suddenly,shebecameawareofhisnakedness,andsheblushedaburningscarletflush,andshelookeddownandaway.

           Intherainandthecloud,shadowsmovedupthesideofthemountain,uptotherockpathways.

           Whitefoxespaddedupthehillincompanywithred-hairedmeningreenjackets.Therewasabull-headedminotaurwalkingbesideaniron-fingereddactyl.Apig,amonkey,andasharp-toothedghoulclamberedupthehillside,incompanywithablue-skinnedmanholdingaflamingbow,abearwithflowerstwinedintoitsfur,andamaningoldenchainmailholdinghisswordofeyes.

           BeautifulAntinous,whowastheloverofHadrian,walkedupthehillsideattheheadofacompanyofleatherqueens,theirarmsandchestssteroid-swollenandsculptedintoperfectshapes.

           Agray-skinnedman,hisonecyclopeaneyeahugecabochonemerald,walkedstifflyupthehill,aheadofseveralsquatandswarthymen,theirimpassivefacesasregularasAzteccarvings:theyknewthesecretsthatthejungleshadswallowed.

           Asniperatthetopofthehilltookcarefulaimatawhitefox,andfired.Therewasanexplosion,andapuffofcordite,gunpowderscentonthewetair.