Page 12 of The Danger Kiss

My father’s eyes met mine. "No, Blanca. Those strangers are none of our concern, although they may possess certain special abilities when it comes to The Danger Kiss.”

One of Rukko’s elegant eyebrows shot up. “Abilities, Father? Aren’t we a little too old to consider gaining more Manifestations?”

“Your grandfather and I have been led to believe that you will naturally be drawn to The Danger Kiss as the very few and rare ones trained by Yuri. His students’ abilities were the basis for The Danger Kiss, after all. Such was his power that he could harness the Manifestation of others and create something entirely new and powerful.”

"In this matter, the two of you will come in," said my grandfather, glancing at my brother, then at me. His tone was so casual it was like he was asking us to pass the salt or do something equally mundane. "You will each look be looking for The Danger Kiss in two of its last suspected locations. There are two black market auctions rumored to be taking place for weapons in the coming month. One of them will be in Platinum City, the other in Asphalt City. Rukko, as you are quite familiar with the former, you will be at Platinum to make sure that the weapon does not leave the city if it truly is there. Blanca, you will be going to Asphalt City, of course.”

"Grandfather—“ Aghast, I found myself on my feet, the wine glass crushed to pieces in my gloved hands. I turned to my father. "Father, I can’t…You couldn't possibly… You know that I—“

“Blanca, sit down.”

“But, Father, you can’t just send me out—“

“Blanca.” My father’s voice became as icy as his eyes, but that didn't deter me. "Please sit down.”

"I can't go out there!" It was a shrill, broken cry. "Not with this!”

It was too late. I felt heat rushing to my hands, then there was a soft rip, followed by a gashing tear. Then there was a burst of bright, bright light.

I found myself kneeling on the floor, the hem of my dress ripped to shreds, my gloves pulverized to invisible pieces along with most of the oak table.

Through blurry eyes, I looked down at my hands and saw what I have always dreaded seeing.

Blanca Zola’s Manifestation.

A Manifestation whispered about in the deepest shadows, where meta-humans are considered as weapons, to be used to gain opportunities or eliminate threats.

The probability poison touch.

Rare, irresistible and with devastating power, yet with very high stakes.

One target at one time, with the name sworn upon a vial of poison. Destroy the target or the poison will be your destruction.

That is how I learned to control it. I had to focus on a singular target, using the strongest of poisons to bind my abilities to a level I could control. Any other use, any loss of control, of the power would mean destruction to the body and mind.

I could feel the multitude of poisons running through my veins, eagerly awaiting my self-induced death, all poised to strike at any given chance.

"Still living by your Bindings?" Rukko's voice echoed throughout the dining hall, characteristically blank yet taunting to my ears.

My hands were still glowing faintly white. A sodium mixture, I thought dazedly. With the explosion and the faint pungent smell still wafting around me. Last time, I came up with with a gas-based compound. Carbon monoxide.

I was so, so weak. The greater the loss of control, the higher the price. Total loss would spell my death. My Bindings would be my downfall soon enough.

"It has been years, Blanca," my brother went on. "I had hoped you would have known better by now. Apparently, you still have not."

I looked up and saw Rukko standing before me, shielding my father and grandfather from my view. He had his left arm held out, four blades out, each one clutched between his fingers.

Ready to kill.

"Rukko…I didn't mean to. I shouldn't have...it won't happen again. Not this way."

"That was the same thing you said the last time," my brother answered. "One wrong move, Blanca. Just give me one small reason to doubt your control.”

"Rukko. That's enough." Father’s voice was now calm, almost warm, in sharp contrast to his coldness to me mere moments ago. "Her Bindings were made by choice. Leave her be.”

My brother slowly, reluctantly, stepped aside.

"As I said, more sun." There was unmistakable amusement in my grandfather's voice.

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