CHAPTER 45

VENUS

Now this gothic manner was definitely what I had expected from the Knights. And I told my friends as much.

Griffin's light laugh lit up his face as he recalled my first impressions of the New York compound.

"Definitely more the type of place that has dungeons and gargoyles, am I right, Supernova?"

"Definitely," I agreed, my expression simultaneously serious yet in awe at the sight before me.

Aconite Hall was a huge English manor, sprawled on acres of land carved into the woods. The estate, bordered by a grand old-school gate, housed a beautiful stone mansion that looked like something straight out of X-men. Colourful gardens, outdoor gyms and training rings, as well as the famed ‘Glass House' decorated the vast estate.

Vines of evergreen plants crawled along the dark grey stone of the old English country house, and I tried—and failed—to count all the paned windows I could see from my spot at the bottom of the steps of the manicured lawn. The building loomed over us, and I had to pinch myself to make sure this was real and not some movie or hyper-realistic dream.

Catching me doing just that, Griffin stepped up behind me and chuckled.

"Baby, if you're dreaming, I'm dreaming with you. And I don't plan on waking up anytime soon." He nibbled the shell of my ear, pressing himself into my backside and sliding his hands down my body. "I'll follow you into whatever dream you jump into next."

The other members in our unit had already started up the front stairs, making their way to the large, arched doorway.

"I'm more than okay with that," I said in response to the male who constantly heated my blood, my voice husky and breathless from his words.

Grabbing the front of my neck, he tipped my head back towards his so his lips hovered above my own in a whisper of a kiss, leaving me hungry for more. I let out a frustrated moan and his breathy chuckle tickled my lips, but he gave me what I wanted: a thorough, passionate kiss as he towered behind me.

Remembering where we were, I pulled away, biting my lip to stop myself from demanding more. Instead, I grabbed his hand and led him towards the entrance after another quick moment of taking it in.

He made an annoyed grumble from somewhere deep within his chest but followed anyway, making me smile to myself; I still could hardly believe I had the mighty Griffin Gray wrapped around my finger.

Just like I was equally wrapped around his.

My thoughts immediately ceased and my jaw dropped at the intricate detailing of the front foyer.

The inside was even more beautiful than the outside, with so much character that a modern house could never replicate. Gothic architecture with renaissance elements greeted us, with intricately detailed wall lights and traditional carved filigree cornices and mouldings. But the main attraction were the decadent twin stone staircases on either side of the foyer, leading up to the second level. And of course, the ornately decorated windows that graced the walls—some so high up you'd never be able to reach them.

Who cleaned this place?

I desperately wished I had my camera. I could spend hours exploring and capturing a place like this. My phone would have to suffice for now though.

Long arched hallways with rows of more windows branched out from our left and right, leading to what I assumed would be the rest of the manor—probably other wings with the kitchen, dining areas, lounges and maybe even bedrooms. The afternoon light seemed to glitter in through every single window, illuminating the dust in an ethereal way.

It was terrifying and magnificent and grand.

I wondered if they had one of those classical libraries, complete with the rolling ladder, and I knew if Billie was here she'd accompany me to find it and bathe in its glory. I would make it my personal mission to live out my Beauty and the Beast fantasies during our time here. I'd happily spend my days trapped in that library. Especially if Griffin was my beast.

A tall dirty-blonde male Knight, with kind yet piercing blueish-green eyes and a charming smile, came out of one of those hallways and greeted us at that moment, immediately offering to show us around and get us settled in before we'd meet with General Theo for dinner.

For the next hour, Louis, our new British Knight friend, gave us a grand tour while chatting casually to Griffin and Carter, Kitana and I slowly following as we absorbed it, wonderstruck.

The place was as massive as it seemed from the outside. The older interior elements were somehow perfectly combined with modern pieces—some made to look old—and the darker colour scheme brought a quality that was very reminiscent of the New York compound. It was edgy, luxurious and elegant, with a little old-world charm and just a hint of creepiness. But it really was beautiful.

Louis introduced himself as one of Theo's captains, reminding me of a blonde Griffin—considering that he couldn"t be more than twenty-five or twenty-six and had managed to work his way up the ranks quite quickly.

When I'd mentioned my own name, he'd been excited to learn I was a Stone, reverting to calling me that every time he'd addressed me thereafter, with a tone that held reverence and respect. It was extremely weird to be treated like I was special because of the name I carried, even though I could tell it came from a good place with the Carrington captain.

With how pretty it sounded in that fancy little British accent of his, I wasn't complaining.

At the conclusion of our tour, when everyone had been shown to their respective rooms, Louis led Griffin and I to a larger wing of the manor.

"You two have rooms down this hall," he informed us, taking a moment to smile down at me as we stopped in the corridor. With his blonde crop of waves, scruffy stubble and charming accent, he gave me major Alex Pettyfer vibes; and he'd be totally cute if I wasn't deeply infatuated with the dark-haired Knight behind me.

Before I could reply, Griffin stepped to my side possessively. "We only need one."

Every time Griff made some sort of declaration that claimed me, I fell a little harder. I guess I was the type of girl that liked a boy to be greedy for her.

Louis raised his hand to rub the back of his neck awkwardly as his expression turned shy and a little uncomfortable. "Ahh … of course. We'll get Stone's stuff moved to your room immediately, Gray. Sorry for the mix up." He looked between us again before he added, "Message received."

Now it was my turn to look embarrassed. But Griffin looked pleased. He brushed his fingers against mine and I intertwined my fingers with his.

"Bring mine to hers," Griffin stated instead.

"Of course." Louis pointed to the one on our left. "That one is for Miss Stone. If you do require your own at any point during your stay, it's the next door down."

"Thanks, but no thanks." Griffin was already moving towards my room.

Louis started to retreat. "I'll leave you to it then. We'll see you in the Dining Hall at 8pm," he said as he waved his goodbye and disappeared down the hall, leaving Griffin and myself alone for what felt like the first time in too long after the two flights with a handful of companions—including Sienna, who made her presence well-known despite her giving us ‘space'.

"Alone at last," I breathed out, giddy from the attention Griffin was giving me now that our new friend had gone.

"Indeed, Supernova." His deep tenor traversed through me as he spun me around and crowded me into the door, running his nose against the column of my neck. His hands reached behind me to the handle as he did so, opening it up to my suite.

Hesitant to move away from him but curious to see the room, I turned and damn … the Carrington Knights were living good.

The huge bedroom was adorned in tones of dark woods, browns, greys and deep greens. Two oversized arched windows looked out to the lush garden, opening up to what seemed like a small, gated courtyard. The massive bed, framed by two hanging crystal lights, was placed against a forest-green velvet panelled wall on my left—that matched the draped curtains and studded ottoman perfectly. It felt fit for a queen. Or at least a Lady.

"You're going to look delectable sprawled across that comforter," Griffin purred, pushing me into the room.

It was our turn to disappear for a while.

I basically followed the delicious aroma of a hearty meal to find my way to the dining hall in this maze of a house—or I should say our way, considering Griffin was by my side and holding my hand, more engrossed with watching me take in the sheer size of the place, than the actual place itself.

When we got closer, the soft buzz of chatter filled my ears and we entered decorated glass doors into an expansive room with dark panelled walls, a gargantuan crackling fireplace that took up a large chunk of the left side, and a huge dark wooden table at its centre surrounded by many, many chairs—most of which were already full.

We'd learnt that the Carrington compound, while the academy headquarters and the original Gray Knights building, only housed a small number of skilled warriors and officials, all of which were now seated at the table with the Knights we had brought with us from New York. There were many compounds scattered across the United Kingdom that were home to the British hunters, ensuring well-spread protection that covered the continent.

The magnificent yet cosy dining room was dimly lit by three gorgeous hanging crystal chandeliers and multiple candelabras across the length of the table, creating a beautiful ambience that made the food, that was already on the table, look even more appealing. My stomach rumbled in response, causing Griffin to chuckle at my side.

The table had to seat at least twenty people, and at the head of that table was the man who made it all happen: Theodore Gray.

Griff and I approached the general and with a flash of teeth, he stood to greet us.

"Griffin, my boy. So good to see you in the flesh."

The general oozed a leader's effortless confidence.

I looked at Griff in time to see him cringe ever so slightly at the words, but he put that stoic mask back in place almost immediately. I knew him enough now to catch every minor change to his demeanour, no matter how small. But someone like his grandfather, who didn't know him at all, probably didn't even notice the way his body imperceptibly stiffened, or his eyes slightly narrowed, or the corners of his frown deepened.

But then again, Theo was a trained predator. Maybe he did notice. Maybe that was his desired reaction.

Griff huffed in response, and I prepared for him to go on the defence, making some comment about it being the old man's fault that they hadn't seen each other in person since he was a child. How his grandfather had never cared or bothered.

Instead, he said coolly by way of greeting, "General Theo," extending his hand for the old man to shake.

The general was exactly what I pictured of Griffin and Thea's kin: Tall, broad shouldered and well-trimmed for a man of his age. His silver hair and beard were close-cropped and neat. But his eyes—those were Griffin's eyes, only aged with wisdom and experience. There wasn't that brown that streaked through his irises like my Knight had, but they were the same eyes, nonetheless. His voice was deep and raspy, like he spent years barking orders. And he had three small, light-coloured scars through his temple and hairline, like they'd been there for most of his adult life and grown and weathered with him. He was intimidating and harsh looking, just like Thea. And just like Griffin.

Those eyes fell on me.

Recognition set in and his expression lightened, offering me a surprisingly warm smile as he held out his hand.

"Maya Stone's daughter," he boomed in excitement. "You look just like her." I cautiously shook his hand, his grip firm and strong. "I've heard good things," he added.

"You have?" I couldn't help the words from slipping out of my mouth, even though that was not how I pictured myself greeting the fucking General of The Gray Knights.

He bellowed out a laugh. "I have, Miss Stone." He gestured towards the empty chairs to his right, opposite an already seated Louis. "Please, take a seat."

I headed towards the second chair, leaving the space beside Theo free for Griff. But of course, my captain had other plans, pulling out the seat closest to the general and waiting for me to take it before he took the seat to my left. Assuming he wanted me to be a buffer between his grandfather and himself, I obliged, and he gave me a grateful look which only served to show me how much he didn't want to be near the man. I slipped my hand under the table, this time offering him a comforting squeeze of his leg, like he'd done for me in the past. His hand immediately found mine, trapping it there and preventing me from removing it, sending sparks rushing through the space between our joined skin.

Reading our body language—the way we moved around one another—the general commented, "I was quite proud, indeed, when my daughter told me that my grandson, the Gray heir, had ended up with the Stone heir." He smiled at us as he began cutting into his piece of roast.

I made myself busy, filling my plate with everything I could fit from the spread of the English dinner before us: succulent looking roast lamb, an array of veggies, gravy, Yorkshire pudding … you name it.

Griffin gritted out, "That isn't why we're together."

"Of course not, but either way, your pairing will do well for us and both of your legacies. Not to mention, bear extremely talented hunter children who'll likely have exceptional gifts."

I blushed, focusing on the food instead. Kitana was a few seats down and I wished she was closer, but instead Sienna was the closest person I knew, seated next to Louis and eyeing me like I was personally offending her with the general's words. I knew they couldn't have been nice for her to hear, and I gave her an apologetic look.

To my surprise, she just rolled her eyes with a dismissive shake of her head and then turned to the person on her left, joining their conversation like she clearly did not want to be involved in ours any longer. The whole gesture wasn't rude, it was more like she couldn't be bothered letting it get to her anymore. I had a feeling she'd rather pretend she wasn't listening than have to interact in any way, shape or form, with my softer side. The girl didn't want my pity. I knew it made her uncomfortable, but I'd keep offering an olive branch—and the fact that my friendliness annoyed her did bring me some joy.

Griffin glared at his grandfather. "Again. Not why we are together. I didn't choose Venus to make you proud or fulfil some dream of yours."

"I'm sure Venus is a lovely young woman and is deserving of your choice," the General said in response.

Looking back at him, he was staring at me with kind eyes now and a smile that seemed genuine.

I offered him a small smile back. "Thank you, sir."

"Your mother was an exceptional woman and hunter. It was unfortunate when we momentarily lost her to that wolf. But I'm glad to see you've taken after her and not your father. The hunter gene does hold strong, after all."

He said the words with such pride. I didn't think he even realised that he'd also put the wolves down and offended my father all in that one sentence. It was just built into his nature. Was all he'd likely ever known his whole life. So I understood where he was coming from, even if I did not like it one bit. I didn't hold it against him.

A small nod was all I could muster by way of a reply though.

The leader of the Knights took a long sip of his wine as he examined me. "I'm intrigued, Miss Stone. Tell me, what gifts, if any, have you manifested?"

"I haven't noticed any special hunter gifts," I responded truthfully.

But Griffin casually offered, "She's exceptionally strong."

I whirled towards him, scanning his face for some sort of explanation. He just nodded at me and quietly said, "You are, Supernova," rubbing my thigh under the table.

I knew I looked puzzled as I continued to stare at him. I wasn't stronger than a normal hunter though. I didn't know what he was talking about.

Looking at this grandfather with nothing but pride in eyes for me, he added, "She's almost had me on my ass on numerous occasions—from her first time accessing her powers. She's stronger than most of the male recruits in our compound."

"No, I'm not," I said, confused.

"You are." He said the words with such conviction that I didn't bother to fight it further. But his eyes held a fierceness and hunger in them as they devoured my own that told me he thought it was the sexiest thing he'd ever witnessed, making my cheeks redden all over again.

"I knew she'd be an excellent Knight," Theo exclaimed with bright eyes. "And who knows, more powers might yet emerge."

Drastically changing the topic, the general scanned the other Knights who'd come with us, looking over Major Harper, Carter, Kit, Winter, Bleu and Sienna. "It really is something to have such young, bright warriors here. Especially ones under my grandson"s command, not to mention his close friends."

He proceeded to ask Carter and Kit about their families and how they were getting on, mentioning Kitana's parents were doing a remarkable job at the Kyoto compound, and that he had high hopes for her too. I didn't blame him—Kit, as well as Billie, had bright futures ahead of them with the Knights. They were totally badass and extremely skilled. I knew they'd be running things one day.

We casually chatted to the Carrington hunters across from us while we ate, Sienna joining in and seeming weirdly comfortable here.

When the General was quiet, I noticed him watching Griffin with intrigue. After a little while, he cleared his throat, earning a quirked brow from Griff.

"I'd like to show you around. Take you under my wing while you're here, my boy. Make sure you are ready for when the time comes that you take on your own compound. Or take over this one," Theo proposed, gesturing to the room around us.

"I'll pass. I'm not here for that." Griffin played with the vegetables on his plate, stabbing a roasted potato casually and then throwing it in his mouth as he defiantly stared down his grandfather.

Theo looked at him with disappointment. "Why did you come then?" His tone held amusement, like the question was some sort of test.

Griffin smirked. "To make sure those bastard rogues don't tarnish the Knight's name by taking this place down."

"Our people have been around and thriving for centuries. You think these rogues have a chance? You're a great warrior, son. I know that to be true. I'm pleased to have you by our side, fighting where you belong. But the Gray Knights won't be taken down now or any time soon."

His proclamation held confidence, like he had no doubt in his mind that what he was saying was one hundred percent true. Like he fully and wholly believed it. I didn't doubt that he did. But that didn't make it true.

Griffin wasn't having any of it. "Considering that they are targeting Aconite Hall to explicitly see The Gray Knights burn to the ground, I wouldn't be so sure. You should hold back. Let the rest of us fight. That's the reason we've come. To protect this estate everyone speaks so fondly of. To protect you, old man, and the legacy of the Knights that unfortunately relies on you. They need you alive."

Theo laughed at Griffin's suggestion that he not fight in this battle.

"You are the heart of the Knights, General," Louis offered his official. "Maybe it's wise?"

"Don't be absurd. I am The Knight. I will fight."

"At least be smart about it and remain within these walls. Fight from here, as a last resort. Not at the front lines," Griffin suggested, his tone more than a little demeaning.

"I'll do what I see fit."

"Of course you will. You always do."

The general raised a greyed brow at his grandson, his face grave with warning. But then he turned, engaging in a quieter conversation with Louis and the other Carrington Knights down that side of the table instead.

A clear dismissal of his heir.

When things were still a bit quiet among everyone, and the tension seemed to be bubbling within Griffin, I desperately wanted to create a distraction. To change the mood.

Learning more about the Knights had been a goal of mine since I'd found out about everything, and I always ate up the stories Griffin shared with me, but I wondered if there was more to learn. And what better place to do that than where it all began.

Turning my attention back to the general, I smiled brightly at him.

"How long have you had this place, General?"

He assessed me again, looking pleased at the intrigue he must have seen on my face.

"Aconite Hall has been in my family for generations. I, of course, had it renovated when I started the Knights, but this land has been used by supernatural hunters for centuries. My ancestors made quite a fortune and remained in the good graces of the monarch for their services, earning us this land as a token of good measure. Those same ancestors built the manor following that, but I made the necessary changes to bring it up to scratch for our operation."

Griffin looked at his grandfather like he was speaking in another language. All the Knights at the table had tuned in now, particularly the New York ones, clearly not privy to this information. The Carrington Knights, in complete contrast, all wore various expressions of pride and honour, while we just looked utterly confused.

My brows furrowed as I mulled over what he said.

"I thought you founded the hunters?" I asked, probing further and letting my curiosity win once again.

"I'm glad to see someone so interested in our history. I did not create hunters. I just established The Gray Knights: the largest living organisation of hunters. It was my mission to bring us together. Create a purpose while enhancing and training hunters to be more than just hired assassins with knowledge of the supernatural. I wanted more for us." He gave us a conspirator's grin, like he was waiting for one of us to question him further.

Kitana plopped her hand on her chin as she leaned forward to hear more. "I'm confused. So, hunters were always around?"

Before Theo could answer her question, Griffin interrupted, impatient and clearly wanting to interrogate his grandfather to get to the bottom of the stories he'd been fed his whole life. "Why don't you have any gifts then? I was always told it was because you founded us?" There was accusation in his tone.

"Let me give you a history lesson, son." Again, Griffin seemed to recoil slightly beside me at the use of that word, choosing to lean back in his chair like he didn't care rather than show his hand.

I knew him enough to know he'd devour every word that was spoken anyway. Despite his impassive image of the uninterested heir, he cared. And being out on the ground, dealing with the rogues firsthand and away from his family, that part of him really started to shine through.

With all of us around the large table, the fireplace crackling in the background, we settled in to hear more.

"I let the rumours spread how they wanted." The general placed his elbows on the table, looking at all of us over clasped hands with an excited glint in his eye that reminded me of the look Griffin got when he was in a similar mood.

"There's power in secrecy and the unknown, so the less people who know the specifics, the better. Stories and whispers changing hands always lead to different variations of those stories circulating. Our family are descendants from the original hunters and there's many around the world who might not even know their true calling but are also the descendants of people that hunted the magical beings of our world for millennia—since the start of the human race. The supernatural hunters of those days were the ones you'd hear of in fairy tales: the Huntsman. Usually the people in the villages brave enough to fight the big bad wolf, that hid in the forest, with their pitchforks, axes and crossbows. They were the people that the humans turned to when they needed saving from the wolves and creatures of the night that terrorised their villages." His voice went low as spoke the last part, like he was telling us a scary bedtime story. With our current setting, it did feel ominous.

"It is true that nature needed a balance, and these people slowly began to have enhanced abilities to cope and stand a chance against the supernatural that they fought. But those powers in recent times often skipped generations for reasons beyond our knowledge. Perhaps something to do with nature's perception of the current threats, or maybe it's just plain and simply the luck of the draw. My guess however, and what my team has been working on studying, is that before I founded the Knights, the hunters were not undertaking the roles they were intended to. They had forgotten their purpose and got distracted with life, leaving their bloodlines to dilute and their abilities to slowly vanish. We will never know for sure why there was a visible decrease in powers, but since The Gray Knights has been established, our younger generations—like you lot—have been powerful and strong in ways that our people hardly remember. Nevertheless, this is the reason many of your parents might not have these abilities." He scanned the others around the table. "It is true that I myself do not have any special gifts or enhanced powers, but it was not because I founded the hunters as a people."

He took another long sip of his wine, like he needed the liquid to soothe his husky, strained voice with all the talking he was doing.

"Lacking these powers, I joined the British army instead as a young boy. And when I had acquired the technical and physical skills I needed, I used my knowledge to start the Knights. Others that find themselves drawn to my operation generally have the gene too and will develop powers quickly if they open themselves up to it. Some find themselves with abilities that are more potent than others. That part I believe to be a mix of luck of the draw and genes. The Grays and the Stones were original huntsmen from back in old times. Some of the first lines to develop said powers," His grey eyes passed over Griffin and me, before moving on.

"This one for example," he gestured to Carter, "I know for a fact his bloodline is descended from known hunters that my parents fought alongside. However, his grandparents and parents were stubborn and chose money and status over the cause because their powers were not significant, opting to leave the Knights. Although, their ventures have helped fund us over the years, so at least they have helped in those ways. But young Carter here found his rightful place again among his people."

Carter's brows rose comically high. "Bloody hell," he breathed out, clearly surprised by the revelation. His accent sounded so normal here surrounded by his fellow Brits.

With the way they spoke, and all the décor and grandeur of this building with its chandeliers and candelabras, I truly felt like I was transported back in time to some mediaeval fantasy book or movie. Except our modern clothes, tattoos and piercings were so out of place that the juxtaposition of the image in my mind was kind of hilarious. But also super cool.

The leader of our operation let out an amused, deep chuckle at Carter's response. Then he stood.

"I'm going to retire for the night. Make yourselves comfortable. Use the facilities at your disposal and make the most of this opportunity you have over your peers to forge you into a better Knight. I look forward to getting to know you fine young warriors better in the week to come." His gaze dropped down to Griffin momentarily, who, with crossed arms and emotionless eyes, returned the look with a saccharine, tight-lipped smile.

I, on the other hand, gave him a grateful nod as he stood, honoured that he'd shared those secrets, but also wanting to keep the peace.

"Thank you for your hospitality. And for the enlightening story. Goodnight, General."

He regarded me with a hint of tenderness.

"Goodnight, Miss Stone."

With that, his footsteps echoed against the wooden floors as he strode to the other side of the large space and disappeared into the dark hall beyond.