Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

Nina’s voice broke off in a scream as the ice gave way beneath her feet. She threw her hands out blindly, reaching for something, anything that might stop her fall, fingers scraping over ice and rock. The drüskelle grabbed her arm, and she cried out as it was nearly wrenched from its socket. She hung there, suspended over nothing, the grip of his fingers the only thing between her and the dark mouth of the ice. For a moment, looking into his eyes, she was certain he was going to let go. “Please,” she said, tears sliding over her cheeks. He dragged her up over the edge, and slowly they crawled onto more solid ground. They lay on their backs, panting. “I was afraid … I was afraid you were going to let me go,” she managed. There was a long pause and then he said, “I thought about it. Just for a second.” Nina huffed out a little laugh. “It’s okay,” she said at last. “I would have thought about it, too.” He got to his feet and offered her his hand. “I’m Matthias.” “Nina,” she said, taking it. “Nice to make your acquaintance.”