Strange Currencies (Messing Psychic Academy Book 9) by D.R. Perry

Author:D.R. Perry [Perry, D.R.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2023-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

TRY NOT TO BREATHE

Mateo

“First of all, I need eyes on these ballads. Who’s got a notebook?”

“Here.” Ben reached into his satchel and brought out his Beatniks notebook.

Spider snorted. I knew that attitude, and it was the last thing we needed. I put my foot down.

“Listen, Webmaster. Either we all get out together, or we don’t get out at all. Play for the whole team, or get benched.”

“Sorry. Go on.”

I took the notebook and flipped it open. The page showed the first version of the ballad. I scanned it for information and got what I needed. The second one was there, but I already knew that one by heart. There was a third. I parsed it, then looked up at Ben.

“You wrote this?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you use it?”

“It’s for the poetry slam.”

“Is it from the damn piece of paper that got us into this mess or from your heart?”

“Both.”

“Gimme one more sec with it.”

I looked down, comparing a few lines from the Endor version with the original and the dean’s. I handed the notebook back to him, trying not to grin too much.

“I almost have the plan done. I need one more thing.”

“What’s that?” Ben asked.

“Mia, to get me the truth.”

She nodded. “Sure. About what?”

“What exactly do they want from us?”

“Hold on.”

She stepped out of the huddle toward the hulking fae. Most everybody held their breath as she stopped short of where Ben had been a moment before. I didn’t blame them for worrying. They hadn’t seen my sister in action.

She returned and said one word.

“Balance.”

“That’s all?”

“There are layers to that concept. Bonds, equity, agreements, and freedom.”

“Good.”

“What are we gonna do?” Jeff asked.

“Give it to them, of course.”

“Is that even possible?”

“We can do this. It won’t be easy. Anyone who thinks they can’t, hang out with Wesley and Pip. Give them whatever support you can to maintain this mindscape.”

Nobody moved. I smiled. Spider looked at me like I was from Mars. Maybe I was, with all these battle plans. That’s why I started outlining my tactics with him.

“Your webs are magic. They hear, see, and feel. But right now I’ve got to know, do they work the other way?”

“Director-General says they do.”

“That’s awesome. You’re gonna spin the granddaddy of them. Focus hard. It needs to work in here and outside of the mindscape. If you need coaching on how that works, get with Wes. He knows the drill.”

“Okay.”

Spider went and stood with Wesley, who explained. Pip helped a bit, too. My dad’s slow appearance paused as they spoke together.

Cristina raised her hand.

“You’re volunteering as tribute?” I asked.

“No. I have an idea.”

“Spill it.”

“I’ve been messing around with my cards in Telepathy. Listening to your plan so far, I think what I’ve made will make a difference here.”

“Okay, do your thing, whatever it is.”

“Thank you.”

She went toward Wesley, Pip, and Spider, handed them tarot cards, instructed them to attach them to themselves, then took one for herself. Wesley got The World, Pip was The Emperor, Cristina took The Empress, and Spider received The Hanged Man.

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