Book excerpt: Victor Morgan’s entire life has been in the limelight. Groomed by his fierce mother as a piano prodigy, intent on using him to build a legacy for the Morgan name. But legacies require the utmost in care. Any little disaster can cause a mountain of problems. After a 17th birthday party ends in catastrophe, a fight with his parents sends Victor out into the world for the first time on his own. With his Academy team and Sang by his side, it’s everything he’s wanted for years. It’s his time to get out from under his parents’ oppressive control and finally be himself. But Victor is a local celebrity in the Charleston community. His name and face have been everywhere. His every move is noticed. When his actions lead to the risk of a very public exposure of himself and his team, including thwarting Sang’s chances at remaining a Ghost Bird, Victor realizes the life his mother built may jeopardize everything. The Morgan name may just be his downfall. There may be no escape. The only way to save Sang and his team might be to give up what he really wants more than anything: to finally be the real Victor Morgan. The Academy, Verismo