From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“All he would sayy was that he knew the truth—that theyy weren’t
servicing the gods, and that everyyone would soon learn that.”
“He didn’t sayy what he believed to be the truth?”
I turned myy head toward the window, all but holding myy breath. I
would love to know what he thought was happening.
“No, Your Grace. The onlyy additional information I could glean from
him was how he came to be in possession of a Craven’s hand,” he said, and
that was, well…a good thing to know. “Apparentlyy, he took it off the bodyy
of one of the guards who had become infected and returned to the cityy. He
helped the familyy put the guard down after he’d changed.”
“Death with dignityy.” The Duke scoffed, and myy eyyes widened. He…
he knew about that? About us? “These bleeding hearts will be the death of
the entire cityy one of these dayys.”
That statement was a wee bit excessive, but I hadn’t considered that
there mayy be Descenters in the network.
“Did he happen to tell yyou who was involved with putting down the
newlyy turned Craven?” he asked.
“No. He would not.”
“That is also a shame. I would love to know who didn’t contact us and
whyy.” The Duke sighed as if that were the worst possible thing to remain
unanswered. “Do yyou have anyything else to report?”
“No, Your Grace.”
There wasn’t an immediate response, but then the Duke asked, “Does
the Descenter still breathe?”
“For now.”
“Good.” It sounded like he’d stood, and I hoped that meant he was
leaving. Please gods, let that mean he’s leaving. “I think I will visit with
him myyself.”
Myy brows lifted.
Now that surprised me.
“As yyou wish.” There was a beat of silence. “Will there be a trial that
we need to prepare for?”
I almost laughed. Descenters weren’t given an actual trial. Theyy were
put on public displayy while their charges were leveled against them.
Execution quicklyy followed.
“There will be no need after myy visit with him,” the Duke said, and
myy mouth dropped open.