The Heirs: The Silver Knight

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Imogen

It was decided amongst our group that we would be the ones to tell Wes and Jemma the truth about what happened to Rory. Telling Wes who killed his brother was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Thankfully, Ari was with me and she handled most of it.

I'd been numb.

I felt like I was grieving Rory all over again.

I can't even fathom the fact that one of his closest friends, the person who he trusted, turned against him and did the evilest thing he could do.

The past few days, I've been conjuring up different ways I'd kill Gabe Rossi and Anton Gallo if given the chance. Some of my daydreams are rather creative, others are violent – but they all end the same way – justice for Rory.

I feel myself falling deeper into the dark pit of depression. The one I'd been fighting and swimming against for months now. The surface was always this idea that once I found out who killed Rory, I would be better.

That once I avenged him, there would be some closure.

If anything, I feel sicker than I ever have before.

I read our letters again.

I force myself to sit in the pain, to feel every inch of it. I can't talk to anyone, and frankly, I don't really want to.

Then there was Aleks.

Aleks Sokolov, oh how wrong I'd been about him.

The way he comforted me, the vow he made to help me avenge Rory...

I still can't get that moment of him signing Rory's name next to mine in that lighthouse out of my mind. I'd been so wrong about Aleks. This whole time. And god, was it easier to hate him, to think the worst of him.

The truth that I can't admit even to myself is that I'm drawn to Aleks in a way I'd never been drawn to anyone else. Not even Rory.

And that sickens me.

Rory was the love of my life. I feel like even looking at Aleks is dishonoring Rory and all he was.

The ache of grief is only amplified by the ache of loneliness I've been feeling lately.

The other day, I went with Ari to the doctor so she could get on birth control. I'd been suspecting she and Josh were back on 'good terms' for quite some time now, but she confirmed it, admitting that she and Josh were together and in love to me, Tate, and Sophie.

All of my cousins were truly happy. And I was happy for them – Tate had found Zane, a man who adored her and made her softer. Sophie had found Leo, who treated her like the queen she's always been. And of course, I love seeing Josh with Ari. I've always loved the idea of them together. Ari is one of my best friends in the entire world. She's my closest cousin, and Josh is family to me too. I love them both dearly, and I'm happy that they finally got their heads out of their asses.

Despite my happiness, I can't help but feel like a third wheel – or maybe fifth wheel? Seventh?

I'm not sure the term.

I've gotten used to being alone in the suite.

They often spend the nights with their boyfriends. Which is fine by me. It gives me more time to read Rory's letters and cry myself to sleep without fear of being caught and questioned.