Wait until your mom is asleep, then cast the Blessing of Aegle

Your bedroom door opens, and your mother leans her head in. “Were you just talking to someone?” she asks.

You wonder how much your mom heard. You had been trying to keep your voice down, but you probably got excited and raised it a few times. You try to stay calm and smile at her. “I was just saying goodnight to Tracey.” You tell her.

She nods in a noncommittal way. “Did everything get worked out between her and her mother?” she asks pointedly. She’s not hiding her concern about you getting involved with Tracey.

“Yeah, Mom, everything is fine with Tracey. It was just a really bad day for her yesterday and she needed to talk.” You try to sound reassuring.

“I just want you to be careful. She’s a very pretty girl. When you’re young and inexperienced, it’s easy to fall for someone good-looking, and not realize they are manipulating you emotionally,” she says.

You can’t tell your mother that you don’t have to worry about Tracey manipulating you, because she’s magically enslaved to obey and please you. “OK Mom. I’ll try to keep that in mind. But I don’t think Tracey is like that. If you ever think I’m being manipulated, you can tell me.”

Your mom sighs. “I’m glad you have a girlfriend, Honey. I don’t want you to never trust girls. Just take things slow. You’re young; there’s no rush.” She smiles and chuckles ruefully. “Of course, that’s advice no young person has ever taken. I should know.”

“I know you’re just looking out for me, Mom. You’re the best,” you tell her.

“Well, I have an appointment with my pillow,” she says, smiling. “Good night. Sweet dreams.”

“G’night, Mom.”

She closes your door and heads to her room. Your mother is always asleep by eleven o’clock, so you wait until 11:15 to head down to the kitchen and gather the herbs you need to perform the ritual for the Blessing of Aegle.

You cast it on yourself first. You want to know if it feels like anything when it takes effect before you cast it on Tracey or Ellie. You don’t want them to get some sudden unexplained sensation that might somehow tip them off to the fact that they’re enchanted.

You don’t feel anything once you’re done with the spell, so you feel safe casting it on your slaves. You start the spell for Ellie, then you hear Abbie’s car pulling into the driveway. You don’t know what will happen if you interrupt the spell, so keep going, trying to be as quiet and quick as possible.

You finish the chant as you hear her footsteps on the stairs, and you’re starting to sweep the herbs into your wastepaper basket when Abbie opens your bedroom door. “Hey Beanpole, were you singing or some…” her words cut off when she sees you hurrying to clean off your desk and all the little jars of herbs.

She sniffs the air. “Well, I don’t smell weed. It smells like you’re cooking in here.” Her brow furrows in confusion. “What are you up to?” she asks, stepping into your room.

“It’s nothing, just something dumb,” you mutter.

“Well yeah, if you were doing it, that goes without saying.” She laughs. She notices your computer screen and leans down for a closer look. Her hand rests on your shoulder and her cheek comes close to yours. “Chaos magic? What’s that all about? Are you really trying to cast a magic spell?” She snickers.

“It’s nothing. Really.” You fumble with your mouse to close the browser window. “It’s dumb and embarrassing, can you just let it go?” you plead.

“Sure, but you should do your dumb embarrassing stuff quieter from now on. I’m just glad I didn’t walk in on you stroking to porn and singing about it.” She says with a smirk.