Ersus took something out of his bag and began to chew, glancing towards the fire. The story did not interest him. Then he said:
– I can not wait any more. It is very tasty and raw!
He reached out to the spit and cast a sidelong glance at Nero. He looked at the meat, swallowed and said:
– Damn you. Let me myself! And then again you chop off the biggest piece for yourself!
And the werewolves were moving around the fire, feeding themselves food.
Marianne took advantage of this moment and walked quite close to the shapeless dark spot. There were only ten steps between them.
By the tree sat, curled up, a figure barely visible in the shadows. She seemed small and thin against the background of this stately old forest and completely defenseless next to these rude men.
Junia. She was tied to a tree, her hands tied. From under the jacket of the school hood, a pair of eyes looked at Marianne. The girl was scared and trembling. A black chain could be seen at her feet and then on the tree trunk.
Junia shuddered and sighed softly. She saw Marianne. This faint exclamation was heard by the fire, because Nero loudly and rudely shouted in their direction:
– Sit still! I’ll bite your neck myself if you’re going to arrange a circus here!
Marianne stepped back behind the tree and in time. Approaching footsteps were heard. Then there was silence, only the crackle of branches in the fire. Marianne bent down to the ground. Will they notice him or not? Narrow shadows slid past the tree behind which Marianne stood. Then a satisfied “Hehe” flew to the ears! Marianne peered out cautiously, trying to gauge his chances of being discovered. Nero shone his flashlight on Juniya.
He seemed to admire his prey. A thin girl tied to a tree.
– Sit-sit. And don’t rock the boat! – Nero spoke deliberately affectionately.
– What are you missing there? – shouted one of the hunters around the fire.
Nero turned reluctantly, but did not have time to answer. A wolf howl sounded over the trees. He walked from afar. Nero hurried to the fire, froze at the very flame and, raising his head, listened. His friends also listened to the howl, but it was repeated only once.
– Not early? – Nero worried and looked at his watch.
“The moon has already risen,” Pontius said. – Maybe someone decided to clear his throat and that’s all?
Howl answered another, who came a little closer.
Nero dropped the flashlight and took out his radio.
– Welcome, says “Invisible Five.” Will the big hunt start at seven? Answer!
Pontius opened a folded sheet of paper and peered at it carefully. Meanwhile, the howl was repeated.
“We’re in the Four Di’s. Ta-a-ak. Howl was from here and somewhere here.
– Welcome, this is “Invisible Five.” We’re in the Four Di’s. Will the big hunt start at seven? We’ve heard the callsigns.
Nobody answered him.
“It all fits,” Pontius said, turning the map to Nero. “You see, they moved north. Everything was as agreed.
But Nero did not glance at the map Pontius held out.
“The hunt has begun,” Pontius repeated, shaking his map.
– I see, and earlier for two whole hours! Idiots! – said Nero.
– You are always dissatisfied with everything. Relax and let’s enjoy the Hunt. Put the radio aside. Now she is not needed. Nobody will answer. Now everything is offline.
Pontius lifted his head and uttered first a guttural wheeze, then a powerful loud sound. Howl.
Nero turned sharply to the howling comrade, swung, wanted to argue something, but silently threw the radio into his backpack. Ersus chuckled softly and howled too. But he didn’t do it so loudly. Yersus’s howl was uneven and short.
– We are already in the Hunt! He grunted contentedly and cleared his throat.
“I have other plans now,” said Nero, packing his things into his backpack.
Ersus looked at his comrade with interest.
– I will deliver the captive where necessary, and I will get much more pleasure from it than from your Hunt, and not only, – Nero grinned under his breath. – Come on, take part in the Hunt.
– Great, I didn’t want to miss such an event, – Ersus was delighted, apparently, he was not tempted to mess with the captive. When he heard the howl, all perked up and looked discontentedly in the direction of Junia.
– And put in a word about us. We’re on your team, “Pontius asked. – It is not for nothing that we ran through the woods here.
– Yeah, we are your friends, – supported comrade Ersus.
Nero nodded.
“Yes, friends,” he grunted, not quite satisfied, then turned and pointed a finger at Pontius. – Keep your walkie-talkie with you, okay?
“But it’s forbidden to use any of these new things on the Great Hunt! – objected Pontius.
– I’ll call you as soon as I deal with this kitty. Once I’m within earshot, you’ll answer. Got it?
“Okay,” Pontius agreed and put the radio back in his pocket.
Ersus looked at his friends and smiled contentedly. Then he tried to howl again, but coughed.
Marianne, taking advantage of the new care of the Werewolves, crept up on Junia. She watched his every careful step closely. Marianne touched the girl’s hands. They were cold and were tied tightly with a rope. He loosened the knot a little. These fetters were not difficult, but it was impossible to remove the heavy metal chain that encircled the girl’s waist.
“Castle,” the girl whispered, barely discernible, touching a heavy object on a chain at the roots of a tree with her foot.
“I’ll save you,” Marianne said almost with his lips. The same eyes that he remembered were looking at him. Only now they seemed to Marianne a little different.
“Junia is a werewolf! Cat werewolf!”
The girl kept her head a little to one side, as if she were embarrassed by her appearance, but when Marianne bent down to her, she straightened. Junia saw that Marianne was just like her. Also with feline features.
– I will help you, everything will be fine. Just wait, “whispered Marianne and jumped back into the shadows, returning in his tracks. Then he took refuge with the folded things between the trees. It was a risky act, but Marianne couldn’t think of anything better.
– And how are you going now? It’s not easy with wolf paws, “Pontius asked.
– Not the first time. I’ll finish. I’ll be there by morning. And there my hands will return. And don’t be stupid, take your guns with you, “Nero said, kicking his backpack.
– Don’t be insulted, okay? – put in Ersus.
“By the way, guns are not by the rules,” Pontius said. – I try to honor the traditions of the Hunt. If the Wolf Council finds out…
– We have net shooters, – said Ersus. – Why carry an extra load with you?
Pontius nodded and continued:
– And I can not shoot from a gun with this, – showed an outstretched palm and nodded at the backpack. “And I don’t want it to rub my back.
– Yes,