Six of Crows

Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?" "Knife to the throat?" asked Inej. "Gun to the back?" said Jesper. "Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina. "You're all horrible," said Matthias.

Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.

No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for 'good luck.

The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.

It's not natural for women to fight." "It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.

I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.

When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.

Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.” Brekker’s lips quirked. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.” “My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.

She'd laughed, and if he could have bottled the sound and gotten drunk on it every night, he would have. It terrified him.

The water hears and understands. The ice does not forgive.

I'm a business man," he'd told her. "No more, no less." "You're a thief, Kaz." "Isn't that what I just said?

He needed to tell her...what? That she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn't pull himself together into some semblance of a man for her. That without meaning to, he'd begun to lean on her, to look for her, to need her near. He needed to thank her for his new hat.

Stay,” she panted. Tears leaked from her eyes. “Stay till the end.” “And after,” he said. “And always.” “I want to feel safe again. I want to go home to Ravka.” “Then I’ll take you there. We’ll set fire to raisins or whatever you heathens do for fun.” “Zealot,” she said weakly. “Witch.” “Barbarian.” “Nina,” he whispered, “little red bird. Don’t go.

Please, my darling Inej, treasure of my heart, won’t you do me the honor of acquiring me a new hat?

I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath.

She wouldn't wish love on anyone. It was the guest you welcomed and then couldn't be rid of.

I can hear the change in Kaz's breathing when he looks at you." "You... you can?" "It catches every time, like he's never seen you before.

Men mock the gods until they need them, Kaz.

Oh, I see. I'm the wicked Grisha seductress. I have beguiled you with my Grisha wiles!" She poked him in the chest. "Stop that." "No. I'm beguiling you.

Greed may do your bidding, but death serves no man.

What do you want then?" The old answers came easily to mind. Money. Vengeance. Jordie's voice in my head silenced forever. But a different reply roared to life inside him, loud, insistent, and unwelcome. You, Inej. You.

You love trickery." "I love puzzles. Trickery is just my native tongue.

Besides, she was the Wraith – the only law that applied to her was gravity, and some days she defied that, too.

The easiest way to steal a man’s wallet is to tell him you’re going to steal his watch. You take his attention and direct it where you want it to go.

Greed is your god, Kaz." He almost laughed at that. "No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever.

Inej had once offered to teach him how to fall. "The trick is not getting knocked down," he'd told her with a laugh. "No, Kaz," she'd said, "the trick is in getting back up.

Saints, Kaz, you actually look happy." "Don't be ridiculous," he snapped. But there was no mistaking it. Kaz Brekker was grinning like an idiot.