Already finished The Awakening and want to know what happens next to Tory and Darcy Vega? “Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae” is the second book in the Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Want to know what happens in Book 2 of the Zodiac Academy series? Read on!
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the second book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
Ruthless Fae Book Recap – Book 2 of Zodiac Academy Series
Aftermath of The Awakening & Escape Attempt
After the pool incident where the Heirs nearly drowned them, Darcy and Tory lock themselves in Darcy’s room, refusing to see even their friends Diego and Sofia. The next morning, they decide to flee back to Earth, planning to steal gold and stardust during the assembly about Professor Astrum’s death.
While Tory breaks into Darius’s room to steal his treasure and a strange dagger that calls to her, Darcy attempts to steal stardust from Orion’s office. She’s caught, and in her struggle to escape, accidentally throws Orion off the edge of Aer Tower. Though he survives, he confiscates the stardust but lets her go. Tory deliberately burns Darius’s room using her Fire Element before leaving.
When the twins reunite, they decide to stay at the Academy despite everything and plot revenge against the Heirs instead. Tory returns to Ignis House to secretly observe Darius discovering his burned room, while Orion texts Darcy the name of a book that will help her regrow her hair after Seth cut it off.
Adapting to Zodiac & Planning Revenge
Caleb visits Tory to explain that as his Source, he can’t harm her and admits discomfort about what happened at the dance. When questioned about the Heirs’ obsession with the throne, he explains that once their Order emerges, the twins will likely change their minds about claiming their birthright.
Meanwhile, Darcy visits Venus Library to find the book Orion recommended, discovering she needs to make a special potion to regrow her hair. She also finds a spell to summon Werewolf lice, planning revenge against Seth.
After Caleb mocks Sofia for being a Pegasus, Tory initiates their revenge by spreading rumors about Caleb having a Pegasus fetish. In Cardinal Magic class, they learn about bloodline preservation and the extinction of their father’s Hydra Order. When Orion announces Astrum was killed by a Nymph, he teaches them about these dangerous creatures that feed on Fae magic. The twins are later questioned by FIB Agent Francesca Sky about Astrum’s death but are cleared.
Protections and Secrets
In Water Elemental class, Geraldine and Angelica (Darius’s bastard cousin) arrive as the twins’ guardians, transforming into their Order forms to protect them from the Heirs.
One night, Tory is lured by a strange melody to Max in his Siren form. A celestial alignment forces him to sing and kiss her, during which she discovers his secret: he’s illegitimate and believes his stepmother poisoned his biological mother. Though she could use this information against him, Tory refuses to stoop to blackmail.
Investigations and Evidence
The FIB investigates Darius’s burned room, forcing Tory to hide the stolen dagger. After evading Darius in his Dragon form, she and Darcy decide to bury the stolen treasure in The Wailing Wood with Geraldine’s help.
Tory notices matching tattoos on Orion and Darius, which Geraldine explains is a Guardian bond linking their souls, compelling Orion to protect Darius even at the cost of his life.
At lunch, Max tries using his Siren abilities on Tory, but she breaks his compelling and physically attacks him, warning him to stay away from both her and Darcy.
Deepening Connections
Darius informs the twins that his father wants them at Acrux Manor to meet the Celestial Council. When Tory initially refuses, he offers to help with her fire training and be nice during the party if she agrees.
During fire training, Tory and Darius share an intense power connection that creates surprising tension between them. Meanwhile, Darcy continues her private Liaison sessions with Orion, their relationship growing increasingly complex.
In Tarot class, the twins find another of Astrum’s cards alongside a hidden compartment containing a picture and instructions to ask about Clara Orion.
Continuing their revenge, the twins break into Caleb’s room to plant an inflatable Pegasus sex doll, which becomes a viral joke when he discovers it. Darcy successfully summons Werewolf lice to infest Seth, causing him constant discomfort.
The Acrux Manor Party
Darius and Orion escort the twins to Acrux Manor, where they meet the Celestial Council. Despite tension with Lionel Acrux, the twins confirm their disinterest in the throne. They meet Geraldine’s father, Hamish Grus, who they recognize from Astrum’s photo.
During the party, Darcy and Orion share a moment of privacy at the pool, where he creates a magical air pocket underwater. They kiss passionately, acknowledging their attraction before agreeing it can never happen again.
Meanwhile, Tory encounters Darius’s fiancée Mildred Canopus, who attacks them verbally and with Dragon Fire. Later, she meets Darius’s younger brother Xavier, forming an unexpected connection. Darius thanks her for cheering up his brother and shows her his bike collection before Lionel interrupts them.
Left alone, Tory challenges Caleb to a game that leads to them having sex. Darius discovers them afterward, visibly furious. Before leaving, he admits to Tory his actions weren’t personal, which only angers her more.
Public Humiliation and Escalating Revenge
Gustav Vulpecula publishes a defamatory article about the twins, portraying Darcy as mentally unstable and Tory as a sex addict. Escalating their revenge, the twins and Geraldine sabotage the Heirs’ Pitball equipment, including placing Griffin excrement in Max’s uniform and ensuring Seth remains infested with lice.
Tory frames Milton Hubert for stealing Darius’s possessions by planting evidence and a fake love note. When discovered, Darius publicly shuns Milton, breaking apart his support network.
The Pitball Match and Nymph Attack
At the match against Starlight Academy, the Heirs perform terribly due to the twins’ sabotage. Zodiac loses despite Geraldine’s outstanding performance. When presenting medals, the twins jokingly suggest they might reclaim their crown after all, prompting the Heirs to challenge and defeat them, leaving them trapped in the Pit.
As they try to escape, the stadium comes under attack by Nymphs. Separated in the chaos, both twins discover they can produce mysterious red-blue flames that effectively kill the creatures. When Orion is about to be killed by a Nymph, Darcy unleashes this power to save him. Similarly, Tory uses the same power to protect Darius when he’s severely injured in his Dragon form.
The twins reunite as the Nymphs retreat, finding that their shared experience in battle has created unexpected connections with the very Heirs they sought to destroy. Darius acknowledges they’ve “proved their worth,” though he seems threatened by their newfound power.
As the Academy deals with the aftermath of the attack, new alliances form against the greater enemy, setting the stage for the challenges ahead in the next book.
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for The Reconning, Book 3 in the Zodiac Academy series.
Where the key characters are at the end of Ruthless Fae:
At the Pitball stadium after the Nymph attack, reunited with Darcy. Has discovered her ability to produce powerful red-blue flames effective against Nymphs. Just helped save Darius and showed unexpected concern for him despite their antagonism.
At the Pitball stadium with Tory after fighting alongside Orion. Has also manifested the mysterious red-blue flame power. Coming to terms with her forbidden feelings for Orion after their shared battle experience.
At the Pitball stadium, recently healed by Orion after being severely injured in his Dragon form. Was saved by Tory, creating a complicated moment between them. Acknowledged the twins “proved their worth” but seems threatened by their power.
At the stadium with Darcy and the others. Just healed Darius using his power combined with Tory’s. Struggling with his feelings for Darcy while maintaining his role as Guardian to Darius.
At the stadium after fighting in his Wolf form. Led other Werewolves during the attack but remains antagonistic toward the twins.
At the stadium after fighting Nymphs back-to-back with Max. Developing a complex physical relationship with Tory despite their antagonism.
At the stadium after the attack, having fought alongside Caleb. Still maintaining his secret about being illegitimate.
At the stadium, having fought in her Cerberus form. Proved herself as both a friend to the twins and a formidable fighter.
Evacuated from the stadium in her Pegasus form with Diego riding on her back, heading to safety under Tory’s coercion.
Evacuated with Sofia after being injured by a Nymph.
Books in the Zodiac Academy Series:
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