Just be careful

Just be careful
And I meant it. I would not allow anyone to take me away from him. Bailey was mine and I was determined to live eternity with him.
I gave him a kiss on the lips. "Dinner and I'll be right back."
"You better " he said with a frown, but without any angry outburst. "Can I ask you something before you go?"
"Of course. Anything."
Could I have my phone back? I just want to talk to Mery , so she knows I'm okay. I also want to talk for ten minutes with someone who's not a Checov .
I didn't like it. Not because I wanted to talk to someone from the outside, but because it could put him at risk.
I will only call Mery, I promise. And I won't tell her anything about vampires or witches, although I'm not sure she'll believe me. I'm not sure I believe what I see most of the time. I just want to chat with my friend and....
I covered her mouth with my hand. "You talk too much."
He let out a laugh, no doubt remembering our first meeting. How things had changed in such a short time. If someone had told me that, when I met Bailey in that shitty alley, I would have met my match, I would have laughed. But here I was, basking in the warmth emanating from her green eyes and feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
"I trust you, Bailey " I said as I reached down. "Just be careful. That's all I ask of you."
He nodded and I reached over to the top drawer of my desk, pulling his phone out of the safe. I didn't think he would do anything foolish, he didn't seem the type. I understood his need to talk to his friend. As much as Harry and the others tried their best to make him feel at home, I could tell he was longing for something familiar. Someone who knew him on a level we didn't yet.
I handed him the phone and gave him a kiss on the temple. "Have fun. See you soon."
Take care, Damon . I meant it.
I chuckled as I left the room and headed for the entrance. Axel and a handful of men were waiting for me, all dressed in black and with guns on different parts of their bodies.
I walked over to the side table and grabbed my pistol and a pair of knives, strapping one to my ankle and one to the belt loop on the back of my pants. I kept the pistol in my hand. I wanted to be prepared for this fucker if we were lucky enough to find him. I doubted the USB would lead us right to him. The guy was too smart for that, but I'm sure he'd left me another clue wherever we ended up. I just hoped there wasn't another explosion. I really didn't feel like getting blown up again.
Holland lived in a penthouse in downtown Misthaven. It was the highest point in town and she always said it brought her closer to the moon. The Holland's got their power from Mother Nature, and the moon was a powerful source for them. They had a summoning circle on the roof of the building for when they needed a big power boost, but a tracking spell only required a little magic.

Holland's apartment was, to say the least, gleaming. Everything was sleek and modern, from the marble floors to the large windows that spanned the entire south wall.
"Damon , welcome " he said as he stepped off the elevator." To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I was wondering if you could help me with a tracking spell."
His eyes fell on Axel and the various weapons surrounding him. A mischievous smile curved his lips. "Going hunting, Damon?"
"I wish. We just need help with the location. " I held out the USB to him. "Can you use this?"
"Sure. Follow me. " She spun on her heels and headed for the back of the attic. Axel and I followed her, and she led us inside the house. Her spell room was surrounded by windows on three sides and filled with plants of all kinds. The singular wall was covered with shelves full of jars and urns, all containing ingredients useful for all sorts of spells and potions.
Holland moved gracefully through the space, collecting bones, powders and a map of the city. He placed them on the center table, on an old piece of oak covered with the scars of his ancestors, and began to chant softly.
Axel stood beside me as we watched her work. "Do you think we'll find anything useful?"
"I wish," I murmured, but I didn't know what we would find. I just had to hope there was something worth finding. Or kill. Preferably kill. I wanted so badly to sink my claws into flesh and rip out some throats. This Ronin had me so excited I could only see red.
"The location is Mist Abbey " said Holland , interrupting my growing anger.
"The Abbey? But there's nothing " said Axel as he approached the map. "Are you sure?"
"Are you questioning me, boy?" hissed Holland , as the veins under his eyes darkened.
"It's not " I said quickly, before Axel could anger her further. Holland wasn't one of those witches who would get a simple tracking spell wrong. Besides, she was older than she looked.
Much older.
Like the dawn of ancient times.
"Thank you for your help, Holland . I really appreciate it, "I said.
"I apologize, Mrs. Holland " Axel said with a bow. I meant no disrespect.
"You are forgiven " she replied, and all traces of magic disappeared from her face.
At least she could trust Axel to rectify a mistake. He was rarely wrong, but he was always the first to apologize if he stepped out of line.
"Perhaps, as penance, you could do a little homework for me?" Once you've helped solve Damon's little problem , sure. "Holland smiled as he spoke, his gaze piercing as he cornered one of my fiercest vampires. Fuck, I didn't have time for this. Damn politics."