Nerphyl and Nedira had crossed off nearly every name on their list in Progenitor City. Now, they moved with clinical speed toward Bitter Maja. Although a battlefield stretched between the two areas, the Kingdom had long ago constructed secure subterranean arteries, allowing the high-ranking officials to mobilize in an instant.
"I knew something was wrong," Nerphyl said, breaking the heavy silence between them.
"Yes, even I didn't expect the situation to be this dire," Nedira nodded, her face etched with anxiety.
While they had yet to unmask the primary traitor, the interrogations of several Hobgoblins had forced the two Queens to realize how deep the roots of resentment ran. Every name on Nedira's list belonged to single male Hobgoblins who had failed to secure a mate. Most were war veterans—survivors who had watched their entire units slaughtered by the enemy.
