Finding The Red Dragon

Nightshadow Manor

"Welcome to Nightshadow Manor Ms. Harding." Allan stood at the door, holding out his hand to help Ella from the SUV, and she looked up at the massive house in front of her with her jaw hanging open. It was impressive with its stone walls and beautiful landscaping, but what got her was the giant double wooden doors at the entrance.

They were massive dark doors that reminded her of a drawbridge, with it's black hardware and huge handles that looked like they belonged on a giants home. And right smack in the top middle of each door was the Nightshadow Logo from the folder she had.  

"Wow." Ella breathed out, causing Allan and Sal to laugh. "Sal can give you a tour of the grounds later today. I am sure you want to shower and rest since you have been going for almost a full day."

"A shower and change of clothes would be great. Since it is a little cooler than I anticipated." She rubbed her arms. "Get used to it." Sal chuckled from beside her as he pulled out her suitcase and nodded to the door.

"Let's get you to your room, then we can get you something to eat." She watched Sal take in a long deep breath, and it looked liked he was happy to be home. "Thanks." She gave Sal a shy smile as she followed.

"Remember, until we give you the full tour, you are not to leave your room." Allan reminded her as they stepped inside. "Understood." She smiled at Allan before turning back to follow Sal down the hall.

The place was just as massive on the inside as it looked. They passed through a sitting room on the left, and then up a flight of stone stairs where they turned down a hallway.

As they turned the corner a man came out of a room, wet, and almost naked. And hot. "Erik." Sal acknowledged him but kept walking, but the man stood and stared at her, so she smiled at him.

 "Erik, she is here for business, keep your paws off." Sal said over his shoulder. "Oh, she's the girl." Eric laughed. "She is." Sal called back, and she watched as Sal keep going, but she was kind of stuck as Erik stood in front of her.

"Erik." The man stuck out his hand as his eyes raked down her body. "Ella." She took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Nice handshake too." "Keep walking Ella." Sal called back to her.  "Nice to meet you. See you around." She smiled. "You bet." She heard Erik chuckle as she trotted to catch up to Sal.

"He's the playboy of the group, ignore him." Sal growled. Wait, did he growl? "Group? There are more of you?" "Yes. There are nine of us here in the house." "Nine men?" "Yes." He chuckled again as another door opened and another hot man stepped out. Damn.

The man stared at her, then stepped back into his doorway. "Torsten, Ella. Ella, Torsten." "Hello." She smiled, but the man just nodded. "She is off limits Torsten." Sal said like it was an everyday occurrence. Ella waived as she went past.

"Do you all look like that?" She turned back to see Torsten watching her. "Most of us yes." "Damn." She bit her lip as Sal chuckled. "Torsten is quiet, but he has a temper. Stay clear of him." "Got it." She was going to have to stay clear of all of them if they were that good looking.

Ella followed Sal down another hallway and he stopped outside a large ornate door. "This is you. I am straight across the hall." He pointed to his door. "And Allan is at the end." He pointed down a little farther to a door at the end of the hallway.

Sal pushed open the door and the room was massive. "I had them feminize it a bit. I hope you like it." Sal stepped in, giving her a perfect view of the huge four post bed with the dark red bedspread and throw pillows. There was a sitting space with a fireplace, and four massive windows to the outside. It was bigger than her entire apartment.

Sal put her bags near the bed, and then turned back to her. "There is a walk-in closet here..." He pushed open the door. "And this is the bathroom." He walked over and pushed open another door reveling a walk-in shower and a huge soaking tub. It was amazing.