And yet another swap.

Ishtar kept her eyes on Reina’s, staring her down, looking for the faintest hint of hesitation. Reina stared back, her eyes locked on Cynthia. It looked like she was holding her breath.

“You might get hurt,” Ishtar told her.

“I know. Better me than someone else,” Reina answered.

“I’ll be taking full control, but you’ll be able to see and feel what I feel, including pain.”

“You need a body and I’m fit enough. Asking Aoi would be a waste since we’d be losing a capable fighter, and I’d rather volunteer than let any of the others face that danger. Besides… Ishtar, I have to help in some way.”

“...” Ishtar sighed. “Do you? Will is your boyfriend, and I don’t doubt you like him, but is it enough to risk your life? Enough to trust me and put it in my hands?”

“You’ve both risked your lives for ours. I don’t see why I shouldn’t do the same.”

“Don’t make it sound like you’re paying back a favor,” Ishtar said bluntly, startling Reina. “Will never risked his life so you would pay him back in any way. This isn’t sex after a nice gift or a blowjob after an orgasm. I’m not taking someone with me who doesn’t understand what she’s getting into, especially not one of you.”

“But I do understand!” Reina argued back. “I’ve been attacked twice already. I’ve feared for my life, and Will was there BOTH times to save me! You’re right, Ishtar. I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m doing this because I want to. And it’s not like you have other options beside the people in this room, right?”

Ishtar groaned and rubbed her face. It was true. Her options were either one of these girls or getting lucky and finding a random, mentally weak person who she could fully control. And even leaving aside the matter of the chances of finding such a person, Will would also hate it if he got random people involved.

“She really is your best bet, lass. Either her or the blonde one,” Belphegor said, gesturing with his chin towards Ruth. “They both have flexible and athletic enough bodies that you won’t have to waste energy adapting them, and they have their own source of aether that you can tap into for an extra boost. And relax a bit. You’re strong, stronger than 80% of mages of this world. And if something does happen, Dr. Paul is a call away.”

“...” Ishtar didn’t like this, but there was no other choice. She’d have to be careful and avoid any unnecessary fights. Even if she found…

“Ah, and if you happen to find the bitch that took him, PLEASE use me to beat the shit out of her.” Reina said, almost like she was anticipating what Ishtar was just thinking.

Ishtar sighed and walked up to Reina, standing close to her hand holding the sides of her head before she pushed their foreheads together.

“I don’t want this, Reina. I don’t want to put you or anyone else here in danger, but that’s only because I know he wouldn’t like it. So… Please, lend me your body. Help me find him.”

Reina nodded. “Find him.”

“I promise.”

Ishtar loosened her grip on Cynthia’s mind. The connection was weak enough that leaving was effortless, but for Reina she’d have to do something stronger. There couldn’t be any delays or interference in the middle of an emergency. Undoing this connection would take longer later, but it was necessary.

She transferred her spirit from Cynthia to Reina, binding herself to the younger woman’s mind in the process. Reina’s consciousness retreated, replaced by the succubus princess. It was something similar to the first time Will and Ishtar agreed to work together, but not quite the level they had reached before being separated. Ishtar felt in control, and most importantly, comfortable, but… it wasn’t the same.

“Oh god…” Cynthia muttered, almost stumbling as she regained her own consciousness. Reina, or rather Ishtar, held her in place and prevented her from falling.

“Thanks for the help,” Ishtar told her. “How are you feeling?”

“Dizzy, but well enough,” Cynthia said, smiling weakly. “You?”

Ishtar let go of Cynthia and focused on Reina’s body. She jumped a couple of times, enjoying the old, familiar feeling of having a chest that reacted to that. It might get mildly annoying during fights, but Ishtar was a woman at the end of the day. She liked having tits and Will, of course, had none.

“This is good,” Ishtar said, now starting to stretch her arms and rotate her hips. “Reina does have a good body. No offence, Cynthia, I think you’re sexy as hell, but you’re not exactly ready to run a marathon.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Cynthia smiled and cupped Ishtar’s cheek. “He’ll be fine. He’s out there, waiting for you. You’ll find him.”

“...” Ishtar clicked her tongue. “Who gave you permission to rummage through my feelings?”

“You did.”

“Right…”

“So? When do we leave?” Aoi asked.

“After she eats, at least” Amelia said, setting down two plates of food on the table. “Um… DO you have to eat? Reina did, but…”

Ishtar blinked. “Um… Huh, that’s interesting. And uncomfortable. I don’t feel hungry anymore, but I feel like I was hungry a second ago, so I want to eat.”

“Then at least have some,” Aoi said.

Ishtar finished only ¼ of the plate, but it did help her get rid of that awkward, uncomfortable feeling. She’d never had to switch bodies so often, so these conflicting sensations were unexpected. Sitting down and eating did help her settle in, though.

“Um… It’s not like I want to delay you any further, but…” Anna shifted uncomfortably as she spoke. “Don’t you need to… Um… Recharge, maybe?”

Ishtar sighed. “Sounds nice, but the elixir was a good enough boost. And besides… You’re Will’s girls. Yeah, I know I’ve been there, it’s weird, but even so. He’s rubbed off on me too much and now I understand his distaste for sex during critical times. Totally kills the mood.” Ishtar shot Anna a smile. “Let’s wait until he’s back and I have my own body. Then we can… discuss things.”

She was looking forward to that. Practically everything was in place. Belphegor had the materials to create a body and they’d found their mirrorkin. Now all that was left was to find Will and bring him back.

The Ishtar would finally fuck the shit out of him.