A Beast of Beauty

#3

Recap:

Even though she had a feeling she would regret this later, Nova couldn't help but be attracted to the easy pay. Keeping watch over a comatose man would be like taking money from a baby.

"Fine. I'll guard him."

Chapter 3:

"He should basically be comatose for about two weeks, you will not need to do much but make sure he is not disturbed. There is a surveillance system installed in the study, you can monitor his vitals and keep check of his room from there." Hank explained, "I would suggest not going into his bedroom, as a dragon, he'll be highly sensitive to scents. Your being a female might trigger an unwanted reaction, if you understand my meaning."

"Why am I babysitting a vegetable?"

Irritation clawed at her mind. Anyone could have carried out this job, why had she been roped into this?

"That vegetable is my nephew. And you are here to make sure he is not assassinated in his healing coma."

"Doesn't he need to eat?" Nova was clutching at straws to get out of the job by this point. "I won't be looking after him only to have him die on my watch."

"His healing coma cannot be interrupted for any reason. I've placed him into a deep sleep, nothing but a massive explosion should disturb him." Hank smiled at her knowingly, "He will not need to consume food during this time. But once he wakes, he'll be too weak to defend himself. Which is why you are here, to make sure he gets his health back."

"What level of threat are we expecting here?" Nova was curious, what made this vegetable male so important that he needed someone of her skill set to protect him?

"This is dragon politics we're dealing with. So extremely high threat levels." Hank sighed, he seemed to have aged decades within the span of a few hours, "You must be vigilant. And if anything happens to him, you will answer to me." A steely glint in his eyes drove the threat home, Nova knew there was no getting out of this one.

"Fine. I'll protect your veggie." She practically snarled at the dragons.

"Great. Food and necessities for you have been stocked in the cellar. There is a two to three week supply of meat and vegetables, enough to feed two dragons. So you don't have to worry." Rob cut in as he eyed her with blatant distaste.

Hank produced a satellite phone from thin air, Nova narrowed her eyes at that casual display of power. She didn't trust his suave persona, and she'd be damned if she let her guard down around him.

"This phone has an encrypted line, with my number pre-programmed. Call me if there is any problem." Sending a small smile her way, he motioned for Rob to follow him out of the Vegetable male's bedroom. Sending a quick plea heavenward, Nova followed them down the stairs and out the front door.

"The cabin has wards placed around it. I can't teleport within the building and it also hides it from view of anyone but us four." Hank lectured her, making Nova feel as though she was back in school, being told off for her latest escapade.

"Please, take care of him." Rob added, before he vanished in the blink of an eye. Hank simply nodded at her before he followed suit.

"What the fuck is a ward?" Nova grumbled to herself, gazing at the snow covered landscape around her.

The cabin was perched on a cliff, and overlooked a rocky and barren looking valley with a large river cutting it into half. The mountains were snow covered and vegetation was sparse. That would make it easier to detect any approaching threat. It was a gorgeous view, but she was in no mood to appreciate it.