Chapter Twenty-Five
IDRISA happy yap sounded from the campfire as they walked towards it. Phoenix frowned. “A dog?” she demanded. Instinct made her drop back, so Kirwan walked enough in front of her to offer protection. Her father’s intense distrust of them had communicated itself to his children without his intention.
“Oh, it gets better than that,” Kirwan hissed. He spoke through the side of his mouth, turning his head so only Phoenix could see his lips moving.
A brindle and white boxer bounded across the camp until it reached them, its mouth open and tongue lolling. Phoenix held her breath, grateful when Kirwan reached down and grabbed its collar. Slobber dangled from its hanging jowls as it greeted them like old friends. Chocolate cake bearing friends. Phoenix recoiled from the hair
