THE VENGEANCE OF THE WAR GOD

Chapter 18

The air outside the assemblyman’s villa was heavy with the smell of blood and war.

When Mrs. Earnshaw, Mrs. Morgan, and Ferdinand pulled up in a panic, there eyes never believed what they were seeing.

Dustin was standing by the shattered entrance, his hands tucked into his pockets, looking as calm as a man waiting for a bus, he wasn’t too bothered by there appearance.

"You!" Mrs. Earnshaw screamed, stumbling out of the car. She rushed at him, her face twisted in a mask of terror and rage.

"What are you doing here, you useless boy? Where is my daughter? Where is Serena?"

Mrs. Morgan followed close behind, but she stopped dead when she looked at the pavement.

"Blood..." she whispered, pointing at the dark, wet stains splattered across the marble steps.

"Oh God, there’s blood everywhere! Dustin, what did you do? Where is she?" She panicked.

Dustin didn't move. His voice was flat, devoid of the panic they were feeling.

"Serena is safe. The Red Eagle squad arrived just in time. They have already taken her to the National Hospital for a check-up."

The two women froze. Then, a sharp, hysterical laugh broke from Mrs. Morgan’s throat.

"The Red Eagle squad?" she mocked, wiping a fake tear from her eye.

"Dustin, do you even know who they are? They are the elite guard. They only answer to the God of War himself. They deal with national threats and border wars. You’re telling us they came to a private villa to save a businesswoman? Stop telling jokes and tell us the truth!"

"He’s talking nonsense," Mrs. Earnshaw snapped, stepping into Dustin’s space.

"My daughter is in there with a powerful man, and you’re standing here making up fairy tales about soldiers. Move out of the way!"

Ferdinand, who had been sitting in the car with a pale face, finally stepped out.

He looked at the blood on the ground, then looked at the gates.

"Wait," Ferdinand said, his voice trembling slightly. "When I was pulling up... I saw a black armored van leaving. I saw the symbol. It was the Red Eagle."

The women turned to him, shocked.

"They came here?" Ferdinand asked, looking at Dustin. "They really beat up Roland’s men?"

"Roland and every man who touched her have been taken away," Dustin said evenly.

"They are being transported for 'proper punishment.' If you want to see Serena, she is at the National Hospital. You should go now."

"Are you sure?" Mrs. Earnshaw asked, her voice finally softening with a hint of belief. Dustin simply nodded.

Suddenly, Ferdinand’s chest puffed out. A slow, greasy smile spread across his face. "Of course," he whispered. "Of course! It makes sense now."

He turned to the mothers with a victorious look.

"My father. I called him as soon as you told me what was happening. He must have pulled every string he has.

He’s the only one with the connections to move a squad like the Red Eagles. He did this to save Serena for me!"

Mrs. Morgan’s eyes lit up. "Oh, Ferdinand! Your father is a saint! A hero!"

"We were so worried," Mrs. Earnshaw gushed, grabbing Ferdinand’s hand. "Thank God for your family. If it weren't for you, Serena would be ruined. You’re the only reason she’s safe.

Dustin scoffed and laughed in disbelief.

"He’s lying," Dustin said. "The Red Eagles didn't come because of his father. His father wouldn't even have the Commander’s phone number, let alone the power to deploy a strike team."

Ferdinand’s smile vanished. He glared at Dustin. "Oh? Then why did they come, village boy? Did they come because of you? Did you call them on your phone back at the farm?"

"Yes," Dustin said, meeting his gaze. "They came because of me."

The silence lasted for two seconds before the women erupted into mocking laughter.

"You?" Mrs. Earnshaw shrieked. "You can barely afford the clothes on your back! Shut up, Dustin! You should be on your knees thanking Ferdinand. If his father hadn't acted, Mr. Roland would have dealt with you like a stray dog!"

"You’re ungrateful," Mrs. Morgan added, shaking her head in disgust. "Serena is in this mess because she’s married to a nobody like you.

She had to go to Roland for help because you provide nothing.

And now you’re trying to steal credit from the man who actually saved her?"

Dustin didn't flinch. "I won't show gratitude for a lie. If Ferdinand is so sure his father called them, let him prove it. Call him. Right now.

"You want me to call him?" Ferdinand sneered, though his heart began to drum against his ribs.

He remembered his father’s voice on the phone earlier—his father had told him to stay away, that Roland was too dangerous to touch.

‘But, Ferdinand thought, who else could it be? Dustin is a peasant. Maybe my father changed his mind and didn't tell me, he must have made a call to the Red Eagle squad’

"Fine," Ferdinand said, pulling out his phone.

"I’ll call him. And when he confirms it, I’m going to smack that smug look right off your face."

"Go on then," Dustin said, his voice dropping an octave. "Put it on speaker. Let’s hear how your 'hero' father saved the day."

Mrs. Earnshaw and Mrs. Morgan crowded around Ferdinand, their faces full of anticipation.

They were ready to witness Dustin’s final humiliation.

Ferdinand gulped. He scrolled to his father’s name and pressed dial. He hit the speaker button.

Dustin stood perfectly still, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips.

He knew exactly what was on the other end of that line. He hadn't called the God of War's subordinates as a "village boy." He had called them as their Master.

The call connecting.

They was too much anticipation in the air as they where all waiting for response.