Американские боги

           "

           "Thankyou,"saidShadow.

           "Weshouldgetyouback.Toolonginthisplaceisgoin’tomessyouup."Itrestedonebrown-hairedspider-legonShadow’sshoulder…

           …and,backonSevenStatesFlagCourt,Mr.Nancycoughed.HisrighthandrestedonShadow’sshoulder.Therainhadstopped.Mr.Nancyheldhislefthandacrosshisside,asifithurt.Shadowaskedifhewasokay.

           "I’mtoughasoldnails,"saidMr.Nancy."Tougher."Hedidnotsoundhappy.Hesoundedlikeanoldmaninpain.

           Thereweredozensofthem,standingorsittingonthegroundoronthebenches.Someofthemlookedbadlyinjured.

           Shadowcouldheararattlingnoiseinthesky,approachingfromthesouth.HelookedatMr.Nancy."Helicopters?"

           Mr.Nancynodded."Don’tyouworryaboutthem.Notanymore.They’lljustcleanupthemess,andleave.They’regoodatit."

           "Gotit."

           Shadowknewthattherewasonepartofthemesshewantedtoseeforhimself,beforeitwascleanedup.Heborrowedaflashlightfromagray-hairedmanwholookedlikearetirednewsanchorandbegantohunt.

           HefoundLaurastretchedoutonthegroundinaside-cavern,besideadioramaofmininggnomesstraightoutofSnowWhite.Thefloorbeneathherwasstickywithblood.Shewasonherside,whereLokimusthavedroppedherafterhehadpulledthespearoutofthemboth.