Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Well, I doubt your mentors will get quite as specific. But . . . the
answer to both questions is related. Our birthing process is not a
secret. But the location of our hive definitely is, and that’s where we
keep the transport pods. And bringing you there also requires me to
reveal something that’s beyond classified. Something I doubt our
empress ever planned on sharing. That’s why this is such a risk. The
only way to help you means . . . revealing the identity of our other elvin
ally since the hive is at their property.”
Sophie felt her eyes stretch wide.
Tarina nodded. “I figured that might be your reaction. And I won’t
waste time making you renew your promise for secrecy. I’m trusting
you to keep your word. I also won’t waste time sharing the whole
lengthy history. All you really need to know is that several thousand
years ago, our hive was raided by ogres. We managed to fight them off
and maintain control of our lands. But in that one night, we lost an
entire generation.” She lowered her head, giving those ancient losses a
moment of silence. “And after we’d buried our dead, we realized how
vulnerable we were. The ogres knew what our hive looked like now.
They’d never stop until they found it again. And while our empress
considered turning to your Council for protection, she’d already seen
how little help they gave the gnomes after the ogres stole their
homeland. And she feared her people would fare as poorly. She’d also
seen the brilliant illusions that were hiding your cities in plain sight.
And she realized that was what we needed—that extra layer of clever
camouflage to keep our hive secret. So instead of speaking with your
Councillors, she approached the elf who was directly responsible for
concealing your world.”