Американские боги

           "Buttheywillwaituntilyoureturn."

           Awhitebutterflyflewcrookedlypastthem.Shadowsaidnothing.Hehadhadenoughofgodsandtheirwaystolasthimseverallifetimes.Hewouldtakethebustotheairport,hedecided,andchangehisticket.Getaplanetosomewherehehadneverbeen.Hewouldkeepmoving.

           "Hey,"saidShadow."Ihavesomethingforyou."Hishanddippedintohispocket,andpalmedtheobjectheneeded."Holdyourhandout,"hesaid.

           Odinlookedathimstrangelyandseriously.Thenheshrugged,andextendedhisrighthand,palmdown.Shadowreachedoverandturneditsothepalmwasupward.

           Heopenedhisownhands,showedthem,oneaftertheother,tobecompletelyempty.Thenhepushedtheglasseyeintotheleatherypalmoftheoldman’shandandleftitthere.

           "Howdidyoudothat?"

           "Magic,"saidShadow,withoutsmiling.

           Theoldmangrinnedandlaughedandclappedhishandstogether.Helookedattheeye,holdingitbetweenfingerandthumb,andnodded,asifheknewexactlywhatitwas,andthenheslippeditintoaleatherbagthathungbyhiswaist."Takkkærlega.Ishalltakecareofthis.""You’rewelcome,"saidShadow.Hestoodup,brushedthegrassfromhisjeans.Heclosedthebook,putitbackintotheside-pocketofhisbackpack.

           "Again,"saidtheLordofAsgard,withanimperiousmotionofhishead,hisvoicedeepandcommanding."More.Doagain