Американские боги

           ItopenedaneyeasShadowcameinandthen,unimpressed,itwentbacktosleep.

           ThiswaswherehehadplayedcheckerswithCzernobog;thiswaswherehehadwageredhislifetogettheoldmantojointhemonWednesday’slastdoomedgrift.Thefreshaircameinthroughtheopenwindow,blowingthestaleairaway.

           ZoryaUtrennyayacameinwitharedwoodentray.Asmallenameledcupofsteamingblackcoffeesatonthetray,besideasaucerfilledwithsmallchocolate-chipcookies.Sheputitdownonthetableinfrontofhim.

           "IsawZoryaPolunochnayaagain,"hesaid."Shecametomeundertheworld,andshegavemethemoontolightmyway.Andshetooksomethingfromme.ButIdon’trememberwhat."

           "Shelikesyou,"saidZoryaUtrennyaya."Shedreamssomuch.Andsheguardsusall.Sheissobrave."

           "Where’sCzernobog?"

           "Hesaysthespring-cleaningmakeshimuncomfortable.Hegoesouttobuynewspaper,sitinthepark.Buycigarettes.Perhapshewillnotcomebacktoday.Youdonothavetowait.Whydon’tyougo?Comebacktomorrow."

           "I’llwait,"saidShadow.Thiswasnogeas,forcinghimtowait,heknewthat.Thiswashim.Itwasonelastthingthatneededtohappen,andifitwasthelastthingthathappened,well,hewasgoingthereofhisownvolition.Afterthistherewouldbenomoreobligations,nomoremysteries,nomoreghosts.