Американские боги

           Wherearethey?"

           Therewasonlysilence.Asprayofraingustedathim.Thunderrumbledsomewherecloseathand.

           Hewalkedfurtherin.

           LokiLie-Smithsatonthegroundwithhisbacktoametalcage.Insidethecage,drunkenpixiestendedtheirstill.Hewascoveredwithablanket.Onlyhisfaceshowed,andhishands,whiteandlong,camearoundtheblanket.Anelectriclanternsatonachairbesidehim.Thelantern’sbatterieswereclosetofailing,andthelightitcastwasfaintandyellow.

           Helookedpale,andhelookedrough.

           Hiseyes,though.Hiseyeswerestillfiery,andtheyglaredatShadowashewalkedthroughthecavern.WhenShadowwasseveralpacesfromLoki,hestopped.

           "Youaretoolate,"saidLoki.Hisvoicewasraspyandwet."Ihavethrownthespear.Ihavededicatedthebattle.Ithasbegun."

           "Noshit,"saidShadow.

           "Noshit,"saidLoki."Itdoesnotmatterwhatyoudoanymore.Itistoolate."

           "Okay,"saidShadow.Hestoppedandthought.Thenhesaid,"Yousaythere’ssomespearyouhadtothrowtokickoffthebattle.LikethewholeUppsalathing.Thisisthebattleyou’llbefeedingon.AmIright?"

           Silence.HecouldhearLokibreathing,aghastlyrattlinginhalation.

           "Ifigureditout,"saidShadow."Kindof.I’mnotsurewhenIfigureditout.MaybewhenIwashangingonthetree.Maybebefore.