Американские боги

           "Thesisterwhowasasleep."

           "IamZoryaPolunochnaya,yes.And-youarecalledShadow,yes?ThatwaswhatZoryaVechernyayatoldme,whenIwoke."

           "Yes.Whatwereyoulookingat,outthere?"

           Shelookedathim,thenshebeckonedhimtojoinherbythewindow.Sheturnedherbackwhilehepulledonhisjeans.Hewalkedovertoher.Itseemedalongwalk,forsuchasmallroom.

           Hecouldnottellherage.Herskinwasunlined,hereyesweredark,herlasheswerelong,herhairwastoherwaistandwhite.Themoonlightdrainedcolorsintoghostsofthemselves.Shewastallerthaneitherofhersisters.

           Shepointedupintothenightsky."Iwaslookingatthat,"shesaid,pointingtotheBigDipper."See?"

           "UrsaMajor,"hesaid."TheGreatBear."

           "Thatisonewayoflookingatit,"shesaid."ButitisnotthewayfromwhereIcomefrom.Iamgoingtositontheroof.Wouldyouliketocomewithme?"

           Sheliftedthewindowandclambered,barefoot,outontothefireescape.Afreezingwindblewthroughthewindow.SomethingwasbotheringShadow,buthedidnotknowwhatitwas;hehesitated,thenpulledonhissweater,stocks,andshoesandfollowedheroutontotherustingfireescape.Shewaswaitingforhim.Hisbreathsteamedinthechillyair.Hewatchedherbarefeetpaduptheicymetalsteps,andfollowedheruptotheroof.

           Thewindgustedcold,flatteninghernightgownagainstherbody,andShadowbecameuncomfortablyawarethatZoryaPolunochnayawaswearingnothingatallunderneath.