As Valentina walked around the counter, she entered a completely different world to the chaotic but reasonably tidy front part of the store.


    Stacks of books, boxes and crates were everywhere. A thick layer of dust covered every free spot. In one corner stood an old bed with stained sheets, next to it a crooked mirror and a wobbly chair.


    The whole thing looked like the lair of a miserly hermit who hadn''t cared about his own well-being for a long time.


    Barnaby led Valentina deeper into this private hideaway without paying attention to the mess or even excusing it. For him, this seemed perfectly normal, part of his daily life.


    "Sit down," he said, pointing to the bed. "We''ll be undisturbed here." Valentina hesitated briefly before reluctantly following his instructions.


    The bed creaked protestingly under her weight as she sat down on the edge, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Barnaby stopped in front of her, his massive form blocking what little light fell through the grimy windows.


    He grinned down at her, his yellow teeth flashing in the twilight. "You know what I want," he said in his raspy voice. Valentina swallowed hard and nodded. She felt Vyxara in her mind, the demon''s presence warm and soothing but also unrelenting.


    "I''ll do what it takes," she whispered, more to herself than to Barnaby. "I need the Essence." "Good girl," Barnaby growled. He stepped closer until he stood directly in front of her, his knees almost touching hers. "Let''s get started."


    Valentina looked up at him with growing unease. She could see the greed in his gaze, the hunger. "What... what should I do?" she asked nervously, her voice barely more than a whisper.


    "Come on now," he repeated impatiently. "A little demonstration of your skillful hands." Valentina froze. She felt Vyxara''s presence growing stronger in her mind, soothing her fear.


    "Put your hand on his chest, little Weaver," the demon whispered. "And slowly open his vest." With trembling fingers, Valentina placed her hands on Barnaby''s chest, feeling the coarse fabric of his vest beneath her palms. She forced herself to look him in the eye as she slowly began to undo his buttons. Barnaby was breathing heavily, his gaze fixed on her hands.


    When the last button was undone, Valentina pushed the vest aside, revealing a white shirt that clung to his body. She could feel the heat of his skin through the fabric.


    "Good girl," Barnaby murmured, his voice hoarse with excitement. "Now the shirt."


    Valentina hesitated for a moment, then did as he asked. Her fingers were clumsy as she undid the buttons of his shirt, but eventually she succeeded. Barnaby''s chest was hairy and wet with sweat. Valentina felt disgust rising inside her as she put her hands on it, but Vyxara''s voice stopped her from flinching.


    "Just imagine he is one of the guys from our fantasies," the demon whispered. "This is like a dream, little Weaver. Nothing more." Valentina took a deep breath and closed her eyes, tried to imagine it was a lover standing in front of her, not old Barnaby.


    When she opened her eyes again, she saw that Barnaby had already unbuttoned his breeches. His manhood was sticking out hard and unsightly.


    "Now your dress," he gasped. "Take it off. I want to see more of you." Valentina felt reluctance rising inside her. She didn''t want him to see her body, didn''t want him to touch her... But Vyxara convinced her. "Just do it," the demon whispered. "The faster we have the Essence, the faster we can get out of here."


    With trembling fingers, Valentina unbuttoned her dress and let it fall to the floor. She was only wearing her light undergarment. Barnaby licked his lips when he saw her almost naked body. "Good girl," he murmured again. "Now come here."


    He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her towards him until she was kneeling in front of him. His hands placed themselves on her breasts, kneading the soft flesh. Valentina flinched as she felt how roughly he touched her. She wanted to push him away... But she couldn''t bring herself to do it. She wanted the Distilled Essence even more.


    With trembling hands, Valentina wrapped her fingers around Barnaby. It was hard and fleshy, with a huge head that resembled a mushroom cap.


    Barnaby groaned as she began to stroke him, his hips moving rhythmically in her grip. "Yes," he gasped. "That''s good." Valentina closed her eyes and tried to focus on Vyxara''s instructions. The demon guided her hand, showing her how to rub him.


    "Slowly," Vyxara whispered. "Feel his reactions. Match his rhythm." Valentina did as the demon said. She felt Barnaby''s shaft pulsing under her fingers, felt the moisture gathering on its tip. "A little faster now," Vyxara instructed. "But not too fast. Let him guide you." Valentina quickened her grip and felt Barnaby press his hips against her hand.


    His breathing was intermittent, his sighs became louder. "Yes," he gasped. "Keep it up." Valentina obeyed, holding her own breath as she felt Barnaby''s arousal rise further and further.


    She looked up at him, saw the desire in his gaze. Shame rose in her, but also a sense of how surreal this situation was. Barely fifteen minutes ago, he had been the same shrewd merchant and cunning negotiator as ever and now he stood here, completely out of control with lust. "Desire is a powerful motivator, little Weaver," the demon whispered. "And you played him like a lute."


    And so Valentina continued, her hand stroking Barnaby faster and harder. She felt him stiffen, heard his breath hitch... And then he came with a loud groan, his seed spilling over her fingers. Valentina quickly withdrew her hand, disgusted by the sticky liquid.


    Valentina felt dirty as she knelt there, Barnaby''s seed on her hand. She wanted nothing more than to get out of there and wash herself. But Vyxara was a calming presence, her voice soft but firm in Valentina''s mind. "You''re almost there, little Weaver," the demon said. "Just a little longer. Get the Distilled Essence, and then we can get out of here."


    Barnaby grinned down at her as she wiped her hands on his sheets, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "That was fantastic," he gasped. "Very good. You have talent." Valentina swallowed down the bitter retort that threatened to escape her lips.


    She forced a smile instead that felt like a grimace. "Thank you," she murmured. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Barnaby reached out and stroked her cheek. "I''ll give you a large discount," he said with a friendly smile, "You''ve earned it."


    Valentina shivered slightly as she straightened her clothes. Her fingers fumbled awkwardly with the buttons of her dress as she tried to process the reality of what had just happened.


    "Here," Barnaby said, handing her the large bottle of Distilled Essence. "As promised. Half price."


    Valentina took the bottle with trembling hands and gave him the now much lower – but for her still painfully expensive – amount it now cost. The cool glass felt strange against her warm fingers. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Barnaby watched her with a mixture of satisfaction and a touch of guilt. "You''re a bright young woman," he said more gently than before. "Come to me when you need more. I promise I''ll be generous."


    Valentina nodded silently, still unable to look him in the eye. She carefully put the bottle in her pocket and stepped out into the cold winter air. The contrast to the stuffy warmth of the store made her shiver.


    "Well done, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head. "You''ve done brilliantly."


    "Shut up," Valentina hissed. "I feel dirty."


    "Oh, come on," Vyxara replied. "It wasn''t so bad after all. And look what you got for it! That''s enough Distilled Essence to get by for the time being."


    Valentina did not answer. She walked quickly through the snowy streets, her head lowered to avoid the gaze of passers-by. A storm of shame, disgust and, to her surprise, a hint of triumph raged inside her.


    As she reached the university, she heard familiar voices. Innogen and Crispin came along the path, laughing and deep in conversation. Valentina froze, panic rising inside her. She couldn''t face them now, not with the smell of Barnaby still on her skin.


    "Calm down," whispered Vyxara. "Just walk past them. Pretend you''re in a hurry."


    Valentina bowed her head even lower and hurried past her friends, mumbling a hasty apology when Innogen addressed her.


    "Val? Are you okay?" Innogen called after her, but Valentina had already disappeared around the next corner.


    She finally reached her room. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, breathing heavily. Slowly, she pulled the bottle of Distilled Essence out of her bag.


    "See?" said Vyxara softly. "It was worth it, wasn''t it?"


    Valentina stared at the small bottle in her hand. She knew that, in a way, Vyxara was right. With this Essence, she had a real chance of winning the Greystone competition. Which would mean saving her family and securing her future.


    But it hadn''t been easy.


    With trembling hands, she placed the bottle on her desk. Then she went to her small washbasin and began to wash her hands thoroughly, as if she could wash away the memory of Barnaby''s touch at the same time.


    "Don’t be too hard on yourself," Vyxara commented. "What you did was brave. It was necessary."


    "Was it really?" whispered Valentina, staring at her reflection. The young woman looking back at her looked older, tougher. Was it still her?


    "Of course it was," Vyxara replied firmly. "You did what was necessary. That''s the reality of the world, little Weaver. The strong do what they must. The weak perish. You showed today that you are not one of the weak."


    Valentina closed her eyes, letting the demon''s words sink in. Part of her knew that Vyxara was right. These were the rules of the world. She hadn''t made the rules. Not even Vyxara had made the rules. But another part screamed in horror at what she had done, what she might yet do.


    She opened her eyes again and looked determinedly into the mirror. "If that''s the price," she said quietly, "then I''ll pay it. But on my terms."


    "That''s my girl," Vyxara purred contentedly.


    Valentina turned around, her gaze falling on the bottle of Distilled Essence and the forbidden books. She had paid a high price, but now she had the means to achieve her goals. She would not, could not allow this sacrifice to be in vain.


    She sat down at her desk, took out the bottle of Distilled Essence and one of her two forbidden books. It was time to learn, to grow, to become stronger, to see what she could do with it.


    "Why don''t you try something?" suggested Vyxara, her voice full of anticipation. "There''s a fascinating chapter on complex Leb-Essence manipulations. Something your professors would never teach you. With this one, you could make a tree grow to twice its normal size."


    Valentina hesitated for a moment, then gave in. She turned to the page and studied the complicated diagrams and formulas. It was far beyond anything she had ever learned before, but the basic principles were easy enough for her to understand.


    With trembling hands, she uncorked the bottle of Distilled Essence and let a drop fall onto her fingertips. The liquid tingled on her skin as if it were coming to life.


    Slowly, Valentina began to imitate the gestures described. Her fingers moved through the air, drawing patterns for hours. She felt the Essence around her begin to move, streams of energy forming and interweaving.


    Suddenly, the air in front of her lit up. A delicate web of glowing green floated before her eyes, pulsating gently in rhythm with her heartbeat. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.


    "I... I did it," Valentina gasped in disbelief.


    "Of course you have," Vyxara purred contentedly. "You''re more talented than you think. With my help and this book, you''ll soon outshine everyone at the university."


    For a moment, Valentina felt nothing but pure euphoria. She had achieved something far beyond her previous abilities. It was exhilarating.


    But then her gaze fell on her hands and the memory of Barnaby returned. The euphoria gave way to a feeling of heaviness in her heart.


    "Vyxara," she said softly as she slowly unraveled the glowing web, "what is happening to us here? With me? I sometimes feel like I''m losing myself."


    The demon was silent for a moment, as if it was thinking carefully about its answer. "You''re not losing yourself," Vyxara finally said softly. "You are growing. You are evolving. Change always feels confusing."


    Valentina got up and went to the window. Outside, night had fallen and snow was falling gently on the rooftops of Bridgewater. In the distance, she could see the Burning Tower in the drifting snow.


    "But what if I turn into something I don''t want to be?" she whispered, more to herself than to Vyxara.


    "Oh, little Weaver," the demon sighed. "You are still in control of your destiny. I can help you, advise you. But you have to make the decisions yourself."


    Valentina nodded slowly. She could feel the exhaustion of the day catching up with her. Her limbs felt heavy and her head ached from the day.


    She went to her narrow bed and slumped down on it. The rough blanket scratched her skin, but she was too tired to care.


    "Vyxara?" she murmured, already half asleep.


    "Yes, little Weaver?"


    "Promise me that you don''t make me lose myself. That you don’t make me go too far."


    There was silence for a moment. Then, very softly: "I promise, Valentina. Go to sleep now. A new day awaits you tomorrow."


    With this promise ringing in her ears, Valentina slipped into a restless sleep. In her dreams, she saw herself surrounded by swirling Essence patterns, powerful and terrifying. And somewhere in the shadows, a figure with countless eyes lurked, watching her every move.


    Then her dream changed. The Burning Tower rose before her, but it was not the familiar tower of the university. This tower was older, more powerful, its flames blazing with an intensity that took her breath away.


    She recognized it immediately: the original Burning Tower of the Martyr.


    The flames danced and swirled, forming faces and shapes. Valentina saw herself reading the forbidden book, negotiating with Barnaby, kneeling before him, weaving Essence into patterns more powerful than what she was learning at university. The flames seemed to be watching her, judging her.


    Suddenly the flames parted, and a large figure emerged. The Martyr himself, burning, his face marked by suffering, but his eyes full of compassion. He reached out to her, his lips moving, forming words she could not hear. Then the human figure of the Martyr unfolded before her and a thousand burning eyes looked straight into her soul.


    Valentina woke with a gasp, her heart racing. Sweat covered her forehead and her hands trembled slightly. She sat up, her gaze wandering around the dark room until it lingered on the forbidden book and the bottle of Distilled Essence on her desk.


    "What was that?" she whispered into the silence.


    "A nightmare," Vyxara replied gently. "Go back to sleep, you need your strength."


    But Valentina got up and went to the window. The sky in the east was already beginning to brighten, a new day was dawning. She felt different as if something fundamental had changed in her that night.


    "I feel... different," she said quietly. "Like I''m not the same person I was when I woke up yesterday."


    "Of course not," Vyxara replied. "You''re never the person who woke up the day before. Every day you have new experiences. You grow, you develop. Granted, yesterday, you may have had more extraordinary experiences than usual. But you choose your own path."


    Valentina turned and looked at her reflection, her eyes looking wiser. "Where does this path lead, Vyxara?" she asked.


    "Wherever you lead it, little Weaver," the demon replied. "The decisions are yours. Whatever you decide, I am by your side."


    Valentina nodded slowly. She went to her desk and picked up the forbidden book. It felt heavy, full of promise and danger.


    "The Greystone Competition," she said firmly. "We''re going to win it. Whatever the cost, Vyxara. Do you hear me?"


    "Whatever you need," Vyxara purred contentedly. "Together, we''ll outshine them all."


    Valentina let her fingers roam over the bottle of Essence she''d paid for so dearly, thinking back to what she''d done with Barnaby. "If that''s what it takes," she murmured, "then so be it."


    The day would soon be here. It would be nonsense to lie down again now, Valentina thought. The doubts and fears of the night faded in the light of the dawning day. She had made a decision, and now there was no turning back.


    She began to read in the forbidden book, ready – no, greedy even – to unravel every secret, master every forbidden technique. The world around her faded into the background as she went deeper and deeper into the depths of its forbidden knowledge.