Even though my mouth felt as dry as a desert I found my voice and nodded. “That is my name.”
“But not the name you were born with.”
I swallowed hard. “I have no idea if it’s the name I was born with. That’s probably unlikely, but never say never.”
Next to me, Rooster shifted on his chair. “Scout doesn’t remember her childhood. Everything before she was found and put into the system is missing. If you know something about that, now would be the time to share it. Drake has promised Scout answers regarding her past in exchange for what she did for his sister. I think now is as good a time as any to pay up.”
“I don’t have specific answers for her,” Drake insisted. “I told you that before. I said I might be able to find some, which is why Ezekiel is here. I owe you a debt, Scout. This is the best way I know to pay it. He used to tell me stories of the Children of the Stars years ago. I’m hoping he can help you.”
I was normally the talkative sort. In fact, people often complained I talked too much. However, I had no idea how to respond to any of this at the moment.
“Baby, you don’t have to do this right now if you’re not ready,” Gunner whispered, his hand on my back and his mouth close to my ear. “Do you need more time?”
When I risked a glance at him, I found earnest concern staring back at me. “I’m fine,” I said, grateful that my voice sounded strong. “I’m just taking it all in.”
“You always were an inquisitive child,” Ezekiel commented, causing my heart to skip a beat. “I remember when you were two. You were with your grandfather and asked a nonstop string of questions that was so obnoxious I thought I might lose it. Yet your grandfather patiently answered each one. He was convinced you were a genius of some sort because of the questions you asked.”
I clamped my jaw shut and tried to remain calm. It was beyond difficult.
“You knew her as a child?” Gunner sounded dubious but he never moved his hand from my back. I appreciated the contact. He was serving as my anchor because my head felt as if it was going to fly off my shoulders at any moment, spin around at a fantastic rate, and ultimately explode.
Ezekiel nodded, his smile kind. “I don’t remember your name. I’m sorry about that. You were little and your grandfather had multiple grandchildren. I remember his name. Geoffrey.”
“Hold up.” Rooster’s eyes narrowed, focusing on Ezekiel. “How do you know Scout is the same child you saw back then?”
“She has a unique look, and the magic that spouts off her is pretty obvious.”
Gunner frowned and turned to Drake. “Who is this guy?”
“He’s a shaman,” Drake replied. “He helped me when I was younger, struggling. I wouldn’t have brought him here if I thought he was dangerous to Scout. I owe her for what she did for my sister. She could’ve died in the process. I won’t forget that.”
“She did almost die in the process,” Gunner groused, still agitated by what happened that day in the woods. “She was ready to sacrifice herself for all of us.”
“I didn’t, though,” I reminded him, patting his hand. His frustration was enough to snap me out of my malaise. “You said my grandfather’s name was Geoffrey,” I prodded. “What was his last name?”
“Martin. Or Maybe Markham. I’m not a hundred percent sure, and I’m sorry. My memory isn’t what it used to be. I apologize.” Ezekiel looked appropriately contrite. “I can’t remember specific details.”
“Yet you remember Scout.” Gunner made a growling sound deep in his throat and then started shaking his head. “See, this makes absolutely no sense to me. How can you remember a two-year-old child and know that she grew up to be this woman, but you can’t remember a name?”
Ezekiel shrugged. “I can’t explain it. I remember the magic more than anything. She’s got an interesting aura. I’ve never seen it before or since.”
“But—”
I held up my hand to quiet Gunner. “Let him talk. Even if I’m not the same child, and I’m not saying I am either way, there’s no harm in letting him talk.”
Ezekiel beamed at me. “See? You’re thinking.” He tapped the side of his head for emphasis. “As for your grandfather, we lived in the same town.”
“Where?”
Ezekiel furrowed his brow. “Here in Michigan. It was in the middle part of the state, down by Bay City.”
That was news to me. “Continue.”
“There’s not much to say.” Ezekiel was rueful. “We had coffee together at the diner most mornings. He would talk about his farm and family. I would do the same. We were friendly but not close. A few times he brought you with him to the diner because he was babysitting.”
“Did he bring the other kids?” I queried. “You said he had more grandchildren.”
“I don’t remember him bringing more children. Only you.”
“And you recognized my magic?”
“I recognized his magic first,” Ezekiel replied. “He recognized mine as well. We never spoke of it, although he did let a few vague things slip. I knew you were Children of the Stars. He was part of some important council, and toward the end, right before he disappeared, he started ranting and raving one day about this council not doing what it was supposed to do and protecting you.”
I rubbed my forehead, trying to absorb the news. “If he had multiple grandchildren, why would he be worried about protecting me?”
“Because you were special,” Ezekiel replied simply. “Even I could see it. You were bright, engaging, and smart as a whip. He was genuinely fond of you. More than that, he always put a lot of emphasis on your future. He said you were the hope of the family, although I wasn’t quite sure what that meant.”
I pressed my lips together. Gunner shifted so he was closer to me,
