When they reached the prison, Jacob was beyond humiliated.

"Where?" He demanded, glaring around the dark space.

"A little further down, I thought I'd save you the embarassment of arriving like that." She sounded smug.

Jacob couldn't reply. He walked forward slowly, the darkness of the hall closing in around him. He stopped, the darkness swarming around him, dark and limitless. He couldn't see anything.

"Keep moving," Roxy's voice commanded from behind him.

He glanced back. Nothing. He kept going.

"DADDY!"

She was in his arms before his eyes could readjust to the gloom.

He kissed her, thankful yet distracted.

So he had her.

His plan was starting to fall into place.

Find Cate.

First step.

Second:

Get the heck outta there with her.

Third:

Find the Cullens to help them really escape.

Fourth:

Run.

Fifth.

Go into hiding.

Sixth….

He couldn't think that far.

He held Cate close to him.

Eight vampire guards stepped out of the gloom, the more of them the more the smell. The air filled the with sickly sweet, thick scent, and he almost lost it right then and there.

It took a few minutes to calm his shaking.

Other than his trip to see Breanna, he realized this was his first time out of his cell. And it was certainly the first time he'd been around so many vampires in at least three months.

Roxy faced him expressionlessly, her black eyes unreadable.

Then, four MORE of them appeared.

But these were different.

The tallest, a lean male with black hair and sharp, almost slicing features and deep gold eyes, fringed with especially long black lashes, was standing in front.

To his side was a slender brunette, delicate and almost doll-like, with especially large eyes and small, full lips.

Following was a male,with dark gold hair, a square, muscular jaw and a prominent chin. In a school setting, Jacob would have classified him as a football player.

Then, finally, was a tall, slender boned human with long, silky black hair that fell below her waist. Her face, aristocratic and beautiful, was calm and peaceful. He thought that out of all the breath-taking faces, hers was the prettiest.

The tall male came forth, bowing his head.

"Jacob." He smiled, flashing his white teeth.

Jacob shuddered in return.

The gregarious vampire didn't seem to notice. "I'm Harrington, and this is my wife, Lucia."

The brunette stepped to his side lithely, smiling in a surprising meek manner. "Hello," Her voice was soft, and had the quality of wind through pipes, "It's good to meet you. This is my daughter, Veanne, and this is Roger," She said, gesturing towards the golden haired one.

Jacob focused on Veanne, who stood still and silent. Her golden eyes flickered to meet his.

"How is she your daughter- how is that possible?" Jacob demanded, turning to Lucia.

Lucia smiled warmly. "Oh, I had Veanne seventeen years ago, one year before Harrington and I were chosen."

Chosen. How pleasant- she said it like a good thing.

"So she's still…"

"She will be officially changed by her nineteenth birthday. It is tradition here."

"Nineteen." Jacob repeated morbidly.

Doomsday, he added in his head.

He turned back to Veanne, who met his eyes with a sudden force.

Because in that moment, it wasn't a look of attraction, it wasn't a look of alarm, boredom, amusement, or even observation. It was a look that the wolf in Jacob told him determined authority.

In other words- it was like an alpha challenge.

"Nice to meet you," Jacob said softly, refusing to break the gaze.

"You too," Veanne said, just as stubborn.

Jacob could feel everyone's eyes on them.

Silence followed.

They continued to glare for several minutes.

"Oh my," He heard Lucia murmur.

"Veanne?" Roger demanded angrily.

"Jacob," Roxy warned.

Nothing broke their stares. Jacob felt something rising in him, but he was too focused to identify it.

Veanne's lashes lowered, once, twice, three times she blinked. Then, as suddenly as their gazes had locked, she glanced away.

It was triumph.

Jacob smiled.

Veanne refused to look up.

Harrington chuckled, and Jacob was sure he heard a note of nervousness.

"Well, we'll be traveling with you."

"Where are we going?" Jacob asked Roxy, never taking his eyes off Veanne.

"Wherever Breanna commands." Roxy said softly.

At the mention of her name, all the vampires in the room bowed their heads in a slight motion of respect.

Jacob knew something had changed.

"What's the deal anyway- did Ashareth croak?"

Harrington and his family looked astounded.

The guards made a slight shift in their stances.

"Croak?" Roxy repeated coldly, disgusted.

"Yeah- he died right?"

"Yes, Lord Ashareth passed. May he lay in peace."

Everyone bowed their heads again.

"So Breanna slay him or did someone poison his victim's bloodstream or something?"

Everyone stared again.

"Our Lady Breanna proved herself dominant, as she should have." Roxy replied slowly.

He laughed bitterly. "What a nice way of describing a murder."

Harrington cleared his throat. Lucia stared at her feet. Roger was glaring daggers at the ceiling and Veanne herself just stared at Jacob, mouth slightly agape.

Roxy remained the least affected, used to his attitude.

Cate stirred in his arms, and he looked down in surprise. He'd forgotten her. She was sleeping soundly, to his ultimate relief.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

A figure appeared from the black hole that resembled the tunnel they'd come through to get to the dismal room they currently stood.

"The offense has disappeared, and it has been confirmed they have retreated. Empress Breanna comands your presence." The hooded figure spoke clearly.

They all started to move.

"Not you," The voice said firmly, "Him."

Jacob glanced up absently. "Me?"

"Yes. You."

"My daughter is coming then." He informed the messenger, taking a few steps forward.

The vampire held out his hand, blocking his way.

"No. The child stays here."

"No, see, we're sort of a buy one, get one free sort of deal. Is that a problem?" Jacob asked politely, looking up at the tall, luminous messenger.

The messenger hesitated. He sighed. "Of course not, sir."

"I'm not old," Jacob snapped, "Sir is like fifty. Not twenty."

"Of course sire."

"That's even worse." Jacob complained, beginning his walk.

"Well then what would you prefer?" The voice was perplexed beneath the hood.

"Jake- Jacob," He shrugged.

"Whatever you wish."

"Right."

"This way sir."