Американские боги

           "Don’ttellthemcow-killingstories."ZoryaUtrennyayacarriedintheircoffeeonaredwoodentray,insmallbrightlyenameledcups.Shegavethemeachacup,thensatbesideCzernobog.

           "ZoryaVechernyayaisdoingshopping,"shesaid."Shewillbesoonback."

           "Wemetherdownstairs,"saidShadow."Shesaysshetellsfortunes."

           "Yes,"saidhersister."Inthetwilight,thatisthetimeforlies.Idonottellgoodlies,soIamapoorfortune-teller.Andoursister,ZoryaPolunochnaya,shecan’ttellnoliesatall."

           ThecoffeewasevensweeterandstrongerthanShadowhadexpected.

           Shadowexcusedhimselftousethebathroom-acloset-likeroom,hungwithseveralbrown-spottedframedphotographsofmenandwomeninstiffVictorianposes.Itwasearlyafternoon,butalreadythedaylightwasbeginningtofade.Heheardvoicesraisedfromdownthehall.Hewashedhishandsinicy-coldwaterwithasickly-smellingsliverofpinksoap.

           CzernobogwasstandinginthehallasShadowcameout.

           "Youbringtrouble!"hewasshouting."Nothingbuttrouble!Iwillnotlisten!Youwillgetoutofmyhouse!"

           Wednesdaywasstillsittingonthesofa,sippinghiscoffee,strokingthegraycat.ZoryaUtrennyayastoodonthethincarpet,onehandnervouslytwininginandoutofherlongyellowhair.

           "Isthereaproblem?"askedShadow.

           "Heistheproblem!"shoutedCzernobog."Heis!Youtellhimthatthereisnothingwillmakemehelphim!Iwanthimtogo!Iwanthimoutofhere!Bothofyougo!"

           "Please,"saidZoryaUtrennyaya."Pleasebequiet,youwakeupZoryaPolunochnaya."