Winter Semester, 2007.

Before the blood. Before the rumors. Before anyone knew what “Festival Season” really meant.

Fifteen-year-old Nia Calloway steps into Prestige Academy believing talent is enough. Vocal Hall feels familiar. Safe. Controlled. But when Ms. Vesper quietly finalizes placements and introduces the Festival Gauntlet, the rules begin to shift.

No donors. No favorites. Just pressure.

As Nia’s voice is crowned the standard, her best friend Amaya Parker is invited into something far more dangerous — a test disguised as opportunity. Glass bottles. Open flame. Silence that watches.

This is not rehearsal. This is Round Zero.

And once the Gauntlet begins, it does not stop.