Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Brandon's unexpected arrival put a strain on my plans. In addition to his arrival, I just found out that he is also immortal. None of this was good news. Yves thinks that Brandon—if he joins the White Veil—would do whatever it takes to hunt me down and lock me up. He thinks that he would choose duty above everything. Above our friendship… His statement was eighty-five percent possible. Knowing Brandon, he might as well overthrow the current leader of the White Veil and take it for himself.
The three of us decided to have dinner at the restaurant just a few blocks away from the house. I've always loved the food there. The salmon pasta with dried tomatoes was my absolute favorite and the cheesecake as well. We sat at the farthest booth where no one could eavesdrop. Brandon and Yves sat together at one end and I at the other.
I didn't know how to break the ice. I'm still pissed off because of Brandon's "surprise" visit. I was obviously annoyed and they were both just loving it.
"So," Yves decided to end the silence between us. "I'm sure you both have questions. Ask away! Don't hesitate or hold back. God knows I won't be here for long."
"Alright," Brandon says, "How do you know all this? Does my father know?"
Yves answered, "Because our lineage created the White Veil, dear boy. And no, my children know nothing of it. I want you to keep your mouth shut. It's too dangerous."
"Then why did you tell me?" he asked Yves.
Yves looked at me and back at Brandon before continuing, "Because you're the chosen one."
"Like Star Wars chosen one?" Brandon furrowed his brows.
I face-palmed in disbelief. Even now he could still find humor in this. Unbelievable!
"No, Brandon. Nothing like that," Yves explained, "Just like in Aubrey's lineage, every few generations, one of us is born to be immortal. You, Brandon, are this generation's pick."
"You must be disappointed," I said, trying my best to sympathize. "I know how much you wanted to experience life. How much you love your family… Because of this curse, you have to disappear just as I have."
Brandon was in disbelief. He didn't think we were serious at all. Or maybe he still hasn't caught on to what we're talking about. He then asked, "What is the White Veil?"
"An organization that hunts down darkworlders like me," I replied, "They kill vampires and other creatures that have anything to do with the underworld. People like me—the ones that can't be killed—are imprisoned to suffer for all eternity."
"That brings me to this, Brandon: The White Veil will come to find you and ask you to join them since you're a legacy. Now, the choice is yours, but I need to warn you. Joining them is way more complicated than it is "cool." Leaving them is almost impossible," Yves explained.
As expected, Brandon's eyes lit up like fireworks. Of course, he's interested. We figured he would be since it's his family history and legacy. I was hoping he wouldn't; a small part of me was.
"You're going to join them, aren't you?" I asked, holding back any emotion that was threatening to fall. The first lesson I truly learned in the world when I was human was: Never show your emotions. People will use them against you and you will end up dead if not suffering.
"I wouldn't do anything to put Aubrey in danger," Brandon states, putting his hand over mine. He looked at me sternly, making sure I knew he was telling the truth. "I wouldn't join them if it meant hurting you, Aubrey. You're my friend and the closest thing I have to family now that I know what I am."
"Your words are beautiful, Brandon," I said, "But they're just words just like the ones you failed to keep before I disappeared. What makes you think I'd believe you?"
"Because the last thing I told you before we parted seven years ago was "I love you" and that never changed," he says almost pleadingly.
And then there was silence. Awkward dramatic silence between all three of us. Did he forget that his grandfather is with us? This is so embarrassing. I could feel my cheeks burning red and I refuse to lift my head to meet either of their gazes.
It took quite a while before Yves managed to ask, "You confessed to a twenty-one year old that you're in love with her when you were a child?" That question didn't help at all. If anything, it made things more awkward and awful; at least for me.
"Umm," Brandon coughed in realization of what he just shared. It was his turn to feel embarrassed.
I then commented, "I've always wondered what you meant when you said that. I didn't want to put anything into it so I assumed you meant it as a friend or sister."
Silent again.
"What?" I exclaimed, "Did you think my saying "I love you too" meant that I actually had feelings for you? What the hell, man!"
"Are we really going to talk about this in front of my grandfather, Aubrey?" Brandon groaned in both embarrassment and annoyance. He was even redder than I am now.
"You were the one who brought it up in the first place!" I growled, unable to contain my temper.
Yves watched us, laughing sheepishly. "So what is it then?" he finally asked out of curiosity. "Did you confess or not?"
Brandon looked like he wanted to die here and now. Anything was better than whatever this conversation is leading into. I for one am not looking forward to hearing any more of it. It's just plain weird and uncomfortable.
With all the strength he had, he was able to say, "That's not relevant right now."
"But I want to know," Yves whined, "You never confessed to anyone before! You only use them to gain power and money!"
"Enough," I said, slamming my fists onto the table. "Let's stay on topic, shall we? I want to know whether or not you're joining the White Veil, Brandon."
"I won't," he swore, "I won't hunt you down or torture you. All I want is peace and a fun life. We could be a team now. Best friends for all eternity."
Yves and I looked at each other and back at Brandon. There was no way that we could be friends without putting each other at risk. If we want to protect each other, the best thing we could do was stay away. Amihan was right; this might end up firing up the war.
"What?" Brandon asked, "Aren't you happy that we could be friends again?"
"We won't be friends," I declared, "We'd be on opposing sides when war breaks out. I'll fight for my people and I'm pretty sure you'll do what you must for your honor and family legacy; that's just who we are. You're born to be part of the White Veil."
"And you'll join the opposing team?" he questioned, "You'd kill me?"
"The Black Oaths mean only to protect our own; the Whites live their lives by murdering innocent people who never even chose this path," I stated, "I wouldn't kill you."
"Why don't you trust me?" he asked in frustration. "Why? Why? Why? You know me, Aubrey! You know me more than most people do; why are you doubting my loyalty?"
"Because I told her to stay away from you," Yves intervened, "She will if she knows what's best for both of you."
"Why are you so sure that I'd turn my back on her?" Brandon questioned with pain-filled eyes.
"Because you wouldn't be the first Siemens to befriend an immortal like Aubrey," explained Yves, "There was someone who did. She was a loyal soldier and she dedicated her eternal life to slaying monsters and taking down immortals. That was before she was caught and imprisoned by vampire older than her. To her surprise, the one who saved her was a human with demon blood. He befriended her and in time, he found out he was an immortal too. Friendship turned into love and love shattered both their hearts. In the end, the White Veil soldier chose her duty over the man who only ever truly loved her. She imprisoned him in the highest secured cells in the world."
"Did you just make that up right now?" Brandon still refused to believe.
Yves looked as though he was ready to give up. I don't blame him. Brandon is one of the densest people I've met in my entire life.
"Brandon," I said, "Do what you have to do. I trust you."
"Aubrey!" Yves exclaimed, "You can't!"
"I didn't say we'd be together, Yves," I told him. I then shifted my gaze back to Brandon and said, "You'll do what you have to."
"Why do I get the feeling that you're going to disappear from my life again?" Brandon asked, taking my hand. "You can't do that, Aubrey. You're the only one I have in this world after I disappear."
I withdrew my hand, a tear streaming down my left cheek. "I'm sorry" was all I could utter before I dashed off. When it comes to things like this, I trust older wiser people. Yves is right. Brandon and I have to stay away from each other.
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