It has been a week and a half since the incident with Vladimir, and the furnace was finally finished. Saphira was sitting with the kings as they watch a test run of the furnace, Aro was giving her shoulder a massage as the cast had been removed a day before. So far the trial was running smoothly, no heat or flame was escaping and the heat was reaching well above a hundred degrees Celsius, something Saphira was very happy about. The kings were also less uncomfortable about using it on their former lovers and Saphira was happy they were letting go.

"How long would it take to kill a vampire at this heat?" Saphira asked curiously, glancing at Felix as he and Demetri were at the control console.

"It would take about ten minutes or less," Felix responds as he wrote down everything they were witnessing. "The only thing we hope is that when a vampire is in there, they won't breach a section of the wall to escape. We can only test that if we have a vampire who deserves this form of execution."

"And as far as I know, it is only four who deserve it," Saphira said softly as she rubbed her chin. "But I am happy that it is working so far, and it is running well."

"We are too," Demetri said with a smile, moving a few levers down to start cooling the furnace and switch off the flame. "This will be a very useful tool my queen, I am glad you have suggested it."

Aro chuckled softly behind Saphira. "Yeah, a little sadistic, but I am like that too."

"Nothing wrong with that, makes life a little more exciting in my opinion and I don't think I could be a vampire queen without it. Otherwise, I'd be showing mercy to everybody, and it would honestly be a disaster." Saphira sighed and leaned back against Aro's chest. "This feels nice though Aro, my shoulder has been feeling very good."

"I am happy that the pain isn't so bad now," Aro comments. "I thought it would stop earlier, but I forget I am not human way too much."

"Well, at least when you decide to be a vampire…" Caius began before he was quickly cut off.

"Can you stop?" Saphira asked bluntly. "I know becoming a vampire seems important to you Caius, but I am not even sure if it's something I want right now. If you can stop bringing it up, I would be happy as I am getting very annoyed by it. At the moment, it is safer that I remain a human until the problems go away."

"And you could be old and grey when that happens," Caius said softly.

"Would that be so bad Caius?" Marcus questioned curiously. "I know when she is older she will have wrinkles, grey hair and not as much energy, but I love her because of who she is. Not for her looks. I hope if she makes the decision to remain a human you will stay by her side."

Caius was offended at the suggestion that he would not stay, but he realized that by speaking about how she would look when she is much older may seem like complaining. "I am sorry il mio amore, I do not mean to come across as though I would love you less if you choose to remain human and grow old. I guess I just like the idea of spending eternity with you."

"I do too, but at the same time I am not sure if eternity is something I'd like," She said with a shrug. "I mean, has eternity been that great for you?"

"In all honesty, it gets boring," Aro said in an honest tone. "We honestly do the same thing every century, and while I enjoy collecting different vampires with different gifts, that does not happen every day. I am patient, yes, but I do see the downside of living as an immortal. After all, perhaps someday vampires will not be able to exist in this world as technology grows more advanced. And I think it is good to not rush this decision." He looked at Caius with a stern look. "And I understand your feelings too Caius, but if I hear you mention to her about being a vampire in her ear shot I will personally beat you for it."

"Oh, I don't think that is necessary." Saphira glanced over her shoulder at Aro with a frown.

"At least it would stop him from mentioning it." Aro smiled at her gently. "Surely you'd want that."

"Not when someone has to get hurt," She said with a glance back at Caius. He was not happy with the warning Aro gave him, but didn't have a response to that. "In any case…I think we should discuss…"

"Sorry to interrupt," Alec jumped from the stairs with a look of concern. "We have received some word about Vladimir and Stefan."

"What is the news?" Saphira asked curiously.

"They have left Italy, and are not working with Athenodora and Sulpicia," Alec said affirmatively, walking over with the letter from an operative who had been keeping an eye on them. "There is unknown reasons as to why, but the girls are causing havoc over Italy. We need to intercept them soon, but they are looking to kill Saphira."

Saphira felt Aro moving his arms around her protectively. "And we will ensure she is protected, is there a place where they could be caught?"

"I am afraid not, they have been moving around so much that they are basically dodging bullets at this point," Alec said begrudgingly. "I am sorry that I cannot help more then that. But we have to tighten security and let every guard know about them."

"Agreed, and I am sorry Saphira but the garden will be off limit until this is sorted," Aro said, looking at Saphira and noticed she was thinking. "I am surprised you are deep in thought."

"I was just thinking…how much havoc could they cause if you do not catch them?" Saphira asked curiously.

"At the moment, there are a lot of people they are killing for the fun of it, destroy vehicles and damaging houses, businesses and they could inadvertently expose our existence," Alec explained. "We are going to work very fast to catch them."

Saphira stood up and walked over to look at the letter, reading it carefully. "We had better get to it then," Marcus said, walking over to Saphira. "I'll take you back to your room, we might even have to keep you there until this over."

"No."

Marcus frowned with a slight growl. "What did you say?"

"I said, no, do I need to yell it at you Marcus?" Saphira said, looking at him with a hand on her hip. "This is very serious, I agree, and we need to deal with this now. But hiding me is not going to do that, I think it will be worse."

"Saphira please, you are not fully recovered from last week," Aro said with deep concern. "If you are about to suggest what I think you are…"

"I am Aro." Saphira smiled as she interrupts Aro. "Look, it can work as long as it is in a controlled area. Now Athenodora and Sulpicia are looking for an opportunity to kill me, right? Well, let's play the game."

"Ooh, I am following now," Caius said slowly. "Absolutely not!"

"It is either this, or we get exposed to the world," Saphira said firmly. "What I suggest is we find a hotel around the outskirts of Florence, one that overlooks the countryside and has a penthouse with a balcony. We pay for one or two nights for me to stay in, the guard and the kings will stay very close, but distanced enough that they are not aware. The girls will probably taunt and mock me first, so that gives you the opportunity to grab them, but they need to be told somehow that I will be there. That is my suggestion, the sooner we do this, the safer Italy will be. Otherwise, I am going to make a lot of popcorn."

The kings were horrified by the suggestion, but the guard listened and seemed to like her idea. It was a good idea to draw in the two women, even if Saphira could end up hurt again. But Saphira felt because the women had gone insane and needed to be destroyed quickly, drastic measures were needed. With Stefan and Vladimir out of the country, a plan for them can be worked on separately. Saphira guessed that the men were not interested in helping the women anymore, or perhaps the demands and rewards were not equal, and that was why they separated. After all, Vladimir had a vastly different motive, and Saphira assumed Stefan was in the same boat, and the women had a very selfish motive.

"You cannot be serious?" Marcus asked in disbelief. "You want to put yourself in danger?"

Breathing deeply, Saphira nodded. "Only to protect Italy and the identity of vampires. I am not asking anyone else to put themselves in danger, and unfortunately no one here can disguise as myself due to being vampires. We need to play this game, that way it is safer for me and everyone else."

The kings were distressed by her suggestion, especially since they all saw her being thrown from the top of the castle, they did not want to see anything else happen to her. Aro hugged Saphira, she smiled slightly and hugged him back, hoping to reassure him that it would be alright.

"Please allow me to do this, Aro," Saphira pleads softly. "I promise that this will not go bad. And if I do get injured again…well, then you can get angry at me."

"I do not think I could get angry at you il mio amore," He whispers in her ear before speaking louder. "I just…I cannot go through seeing you fall again. A balcony means another level where you can be thrown."

"I am aware," Saphira said gently. "Per favore sii coraggioso per me, io sono per te."

"I will, you are honestly brave to do this Saphira," Aro said, his lips slowly curling into a smile. "But I am also frightened for you."

"I know, but please do this for the sake of protecting your identity." Saphira takes Aro's hands and holds them up between their chests. "And when I call for you, do not ignore."

"We definitely will not," Caius promised fiercely. "And, ironically, having this furnace completed today seems like a good coincidence for us." He sighed deeply and clenched his eyes shut. He did not like Saphira's idea, but it was still a good idea. "Very well, we will take the Alfa Romeo, which should also deceive them."

"We will have take the new cars too to disguise ourselves," Demetri added, before realizing he jumped into the conversation as the kings glance at him. "Sorry, um…was that a wrong time to say that?"

Saphira chuckled and shook her head. "No, the kings are just being a bit silly. And good, we should go research the hotels first and have a suitcase packed. Not a big suitcase, but just enough for two nights."

"I will go and prepare the suitcase for you, my queen," Renata said with a bow. Renata left the room up the stairs and Jane quickly followed to help.

"I…" Aro began, before glancing down.

Saphira was a bit surprised, Aro seemed so vulnerable right now. It was natural for them to be insecure about losing her, but this made her heart flutter knowing how much they care for her. She walked closer to him and kissed his cheek gently, smiling as he looked up at her with a smile and kissed her back passionately.

When their lips part, Saphira licked her lips before speaking. "I know you cannot believe we are going to do this, believe me, I would not have considered this if I did not think it wouldn't work. Ti amo Aro, and I promise that this will not be like what happened with Vladimir. This will be a more controlled environment, not a random vampire I meet when I go for a stroll."

He was a little reassured by her words of comfort. "Thank you, il mio amore, and you are right. This is not like last week. And unfortunately, we cannot drive you to the hotel."

Caius frowned sharply. "And why not?"

"Because if Athenodora and Sulpicia decide to check her car for any familiar scents, and ours are strong and fresh, they will likely not take the bait," Aro explained firmly, glancing at Caius with a soft expression. "I understand how you feel Caius, I am not happy about this. But if we can get rid of them in just a day or two, then we can relax and focus on our second big problem. And I honestly think Vladimir and Stefan will go back into hiding until we fish them out."

Caius's expression softened and he turned to walk away. "I know, but I just feel…scared about all of this. I will be in the throne room."

Saphira watched Caius leave. His distant behaviour had started a couple days ago, she did not know why. She guessed he simply was hoping she would become a vampire soon, and he wasn't happy she is not yet one. But she knew he still loved her, it was just awkward knowing that he has conflicted feelings about it all. She knew he would still accept her, it just would take a bit of time.

"Well, I guess we should figure out a driver then," Marcus said slowly. "And I do not want any of the new recruits to take her."

"I agree…well, there are a few of the guard that Athenodora and Sulpicia are not too familiar with," Aro said thoughtfully.

"Santiago rarely spent time with them," Demetri said. "Most of the guard has interacted with them in some way, but he did not. Mostly because Felix did a lot of bodyguarding with them and not Santiago. I am not sure if they know of him, but if they did I do not think they have met him."

"You are right actually," Aro said with a thoughtful nod. "Then it is settled, Santiago will drive you once we pick a hotel. It should not be too hard…but if we book for two nights, and only get the women after one, do you want to stay and enjoy the hotel?"

Saphira had not actually thought of that. But, it would be a nice way to spend with her mates in a different environment. "It would be a waste if we did just leave after the one night. After all, we will not have the guard coming in with an announcement if we do."

The kings smiled at the thought. "You are right," Marcus said softly. "Perhaps, when it is safe, we should do little hotel stays from time to time. It might make our immortal existence more interesting."

"I like the sound of that myself," Aro admits. "I apologize if we cannot enjoy champagne or fruits with you, but the scenery we can. At least at night."

Saphira hugged Aro, but she had hugged him too roughly which caused a pang in her shoulder. "Ah! I should refrain throwing myself at you," Saphira joked, rubbing her shoulder with a slight smile. "But I look forward to it. Especially since I wouldn't mind it at the moment. It would help me a little too."

Aro guessed she was referring to her state of mind, and he did not blame her. Taking her hand, and Marcus taking her other hand, the kings and Saphira head back upstairs together to the throne room where Caius was waiting. Demetri, Alec and Felix follow behind them, all hoping that Saphira's idea will happen safely. In the back of their minds, they all know it could go very wrong very fast.

Translation:

Il mio amore: My love

Per favore sii coraggioso per me, io sono per te: Please be brave for me, I am for you

Tio amo: I love you