The girl had somehow entered the courtyard proper, though the gate remained closed — a mystery for later investigation if anyone survived to conduct it.
Part 2: "One Name Made The Killer Dog Kneel"
Nobody moved.
Not the guards.
Not Holden Cross.
Not even Phantom.
The enormous Cane Corso stood only inches from the little girl.
One bite.
That was all it would take.
The child would never have time to scream.
"Stand down!" Holden barked.
Phantom ignored him.
Every guard looked at each other.
The dog had never ignored a command before.
Not once.
Holden tried again.
"Phantom!"
Nothing.
Instead, the dog's growling slowly faded.
The girl's tiny hand rose cautiously.
It was filthy.
Covered with dirt and old scratches.
Instead of pulling away, Phantom lowered his massive head until his nose touched her trembling fingers.
Then...
The impossible happened.
The giant guard dog slowly bent one front leg.
Then the other.
Until the terrifying animal was kneeling before the child.
Every man in the courtyard stopped breathing.
One guard whispered,
"My God..."
Another crossed himself.
"I've worked with attack dogs for fifteen years."
"I've never seen anything like this."
Holden couldn't believe his own eyes.
This was the same dog that had once broken through reinforced fencing to attack an armed intruder.
The same dog that refused affection from everyone except his military trainer.
Yet now...
He looked almost gentle.
The little girl stroked his head.
Very softly.
As if she'd done it hundreds of times before.
Tears rolled down her dirty face.
Then she leaned close to Phantom's ear.
And whispered one word.
"Roman."
Phantom let out a low whine.
Not a growl.
A whine.
His massive tail struck the ground once.
Then again.
Holden frowned.
"Roman?"
None of the guards recognized the name.
But Phantom clearly did.