The Bad Slope

"We found an altar in the woods," said Billy.

"Uh huh," said Susan, cleaning the oven.

"Yeah. The Ouija board kept giving strings of numbers. But Paul figured it was GPS coordinates."

"That's nice."

"So we tracked it on Google and found the intersection, and we hiked out there and found the altar."

Susan looked out the oven at her son. "I don't think I like where this is headed."

"We just want to camp out by the altar. See what shows up."

"No."

"Aw mom! Why not?"

"You tell me."

Billy bit his lip. Susan held him by the arms. "Say it."

Billy blurted, "Because I'm birthsworn."

"That's right. Your soul is already sealed. And lesser pacts would just complicate things. You don't have to worry about most humans interferring with that, but entities will be a problem. " She frowned. "But you'd better avoid Paul for a week."

"Aw mom!"

"Don't sulk, it isn't dignified.  It's for your friends sake too. I better do a warding. Go trance for a while."

"I don't want to!"

"Go on Billy!" Susan watched him stomp off. What a mess. Half her chores undone and a night of sorcery ahead.  The boy was growing up too fast.  Well, that was in the Book too.

Susan shrugged. He wasn't her flesh and blood, just the subject of her indenture. It made discipline easier. She began to prepare for magic.