Американские боги

           "

           "Ifitcouldhavebeenanyotherway,"saidWednesday,andthistimeShadowknewwhathemeant.

           "Andifshe’dhad—thegrace—tostaydead,"pantedLoki."WoodandStone—weregoodmen.Youweregoing—tobeallowedtoescape—whenthetraincrossedtheDakotas…"

           "Whereisshe?"askedShadow.

           Lokireachedapalearm,andpointedtothebackofthecavern.

           "Shewentthat-a-way,"hesaid.Then,withoutwarning,hetippedforward,hisbodycollapsingontotherockfloor.

           Shadowsawwhattheblankethadhiddenfromhim;thepoolofblood,theholethroughLoki’sback,thefawnraincoatsoakedblackwithblood."Whathappened?"hesaid.

           Lokisaidnothing.

           Shadowdidnotthinkhewouldbesayinganythinganymore.

           "Yourwifehappenedtohim,m’boy,"saidWednesday’sdistantvoice.Hehadbecomehardertosee,asifhewasfadingbackintotheether."Butthebattlewillbringhimback.Asthebattlewillbringmebackforgood.I’maghost,andhe’sacorpse,butwe’vestillwon.Thegamewasrigged."

           "Riggedgames,"saidShadow,remembering,"aretheeasiesttobeat."

           Therewasnoanswer.Nothingmovedintheshadows.

           Shadowsaid,"Goodbye,"andthenhesaid,"Father."Butbythentherewasnotraceofanybodyelseinthecavern.Nobodyatall.