Already finished the previous books and need a refresher before continuing? Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky is the seventh book in the Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Want to know what happens in Book 7 of the Zodiac Academy series? Read on!
Tory's grief supernova
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the seventh book. If you haven't read it yet, turn back now unless you're ready for all the major twists and reveals!
Book Recap: Heartless Sky – Book 7 in the Zodiac Academy Series
The Rebels Find Their Footing
After fleeing Lionel's palace, Tory, Darcy, the Heirs, Orion, Xavier, and Catalina take refuge in The Burrows — a vast underground rebel base. Darius reveals he had his marriage to Mildred annulled and the Star Crossed bond broken, and he and Tory finally confess their love. Over the following months the group trains, bonds, and strategises.
Key discoveries pile up: Diego's soul reveals his family helped murder the Vega twins' parents on Lionel's orders; Merissa Vega's hidden visions expose Vard's shadow eye as a literal Nymph eyeball gifted to him by the Shadow Princess; and the Imperial Star turns out to be the tool Hail Vega used to seal shadow rifts across Solaria for decades. A murderous shadow beast is stalking the tunnels at night, and no one can identify the killer.
Relationships deepen and fracture — Seth falls in love with Caleb (unspoken), Geraldine falls for Max (suppressed by her sense of honour), and Orion and Darcy navigate a painful gap between their private devotion and his public shame.
Striking Back — Raids, Revelations, and Romances
The group goes on the offensive. They raid a Nymph shadow pyramid temple in the east, where Orion and Caleb accidentally forge an ancient forbidden Vampire coven bond (sanguis frater — blood brothers). They steal Vard's living shadow eye from The Palace of Souls, with Geraldine popping it out using her great-grandmama's eye scoop. They rescue prisoners from a Nebular Inquisition Centre.
Lionel's public image is steadily eroded by Tyler's rebel newspaper, Catalina's testimony, and Gabriel's coordinated prank attacks on Lionel. Meanwhile Lavinia marries Lionel by force, births a shadow creature, and fully establishes herself as Shadow Queen. Darius secretly confesses to Gabriel that he traded his life to the stars last Christmas to save the twins — he has less than a year to live. Gabriel keeps it secret. The shadow eye is secured but can't be used without a rare map of espial held by the FIB.
The Palace of Flames and the Path to War
The twins are called to The Palace of Flames — their Phoenix ancestors' home — where the spirit of ancient Queen Avalon Vega trains them for four months. They master Phoenix song, aerial combat, weapon-blessing, and merging their fire into a single devastating force. The curse eating Darcy's magic appears largely burned away inside the palace walls. They emerge with half each of a split platinum crown and new queen gowns gifted by the palace.
Orion's public declaration
Back at The Burrows, Orion publicly declares his love for Darcy in front of the entire rebel army, reclaiming her final IOU for a kiss on the table. The stars respond: Darcy and Orion are confirmed Elysian Mates, silver rings in their eyes. FIB agent Francesca Sky hands over the stolen map of espial as the couple is arrested — and Darius and Tory immediately bust them out. Geraldine uses the shadow-eye spyglass with the map to locate all 7 remaining rifts. The team splits up and closes every one simultaneously.
Betrayal, Confession, and a Wedding
With the rifts closed and Lavinia theoretically weakened, the group prepares to march on Lionel. Darius finally confesses his death deal to everyone — he has only weeks left. Tory is devastated but refuses to waste what time remains. She and Darius marry that same morning in a wildflower field: no ceremony, plain rings, blood-red lace.
Within hours, a fake distress message lures the four Heirs to Acrux Manor, where Lavinia has chained the Councillors and their families to a shadow altar, draining their magic. The trap is sprung simultaneously with a full assault on The Burrows — Lionel's entire Nymph army and Dragon Guild attack while Gabriel's Sight is blinded by shadows. The twins lead the rebels out to fight. Caleb, Max, and Seth are captured at the manor and chained to the altar themselves. Gabriel seals the tunnels to save the retreating army, then is captured by Lionel who wants him as a replacement Seer.
The Fall
The battle is catastrophic. Lavinia reveals the truth: Darcy's curse never healed — she has been the tunnel murderer all along, transforming into a massive Shadow Beast unconsciously at night. Lavinia forces Darcy to shift mid-battle and she begins slaughtering rebels. Orion lures the beast away; Darcy briefly returns to herself but her Phoenix is gone and her Elysian rings are fading — the curse has stripped her magic and left her mortal. She flees into the mountains as the beast.
Xavier has both wings ripped off by Lionel's shadow claw. Geraldine is mauled and falls critically wounded. Angelica is killed by Mildred Canopus. Catalina and Hamish sacrifice themselves to seal the retreat tunnel — dying together, hand in hand. Tory kills Alejandro (her father's murderer) on the battlefield. Darius fights Lionel to the brink of victory — but Lionel drives a sun steel blade into his heart. Darius dies on the hillside.
Darius vs Lionel aerial battle over Zodiac Academy
Orion makes a death bond with Lavinia: three moon cycles as her prisoner and plaything in exchange for Darcy's freedom from the curse. He is taken away in a shadow collar. Tory finds Darius's body. Her grief detonates as a supernova of Phoenix fire that annihilates every remaining Nymph. As she breaks, Gabriel's final prophecy blazes across the sky: "One chance awaits. The king may fall on the day the Hydra bellows in a spiteful palace."
Tory's grief supernova
Interested in what happens next? Check our book recap for Book 8 in the Zodiac Academy series.
Where the key characters are at the end of Heartless Sky:
Darius Acrux
Killed by Lionel — a sun steel blade through the heart. He died on the hillside having fought Lionel to the very brink. Husband to Tory for the last hours of his life.
Catalina Acrux
Died by her own hand rather than be recaptured by Lionel. Sealed the retreat tunnel alongside Hamish. Died as she chose — free.
Hamish Grus
Died alongside Catalina, hand in hand, sealing the tunnel to save the rebel army. Chose the end on his own terms.
Angelica
Killed by Mildred Canopus in Dragon form during the battle.
Lance Orion
Shadow-collared prisoner of Lavinia. Struck a death bond — three moon cycles as her prisoner in exchange for Darcy's freedom from the curse. Told Darcy to meet him at dawn where the meteor struck.
Gabriel Nox
Captured by Lionel after sealing the tunnels to save the retreating army. Being used as Lionel's new Seer. His last act was blazing a prophecy across the sky.
Max Rigel
Chained to the shadow altar at Acrux Manor. Magic being drained. One of three Heirs caught in Lavinia's trap.
Caleb Altair
Chained to the shadow altar at Acrux Manor. Magic being drained. Bound to Orion by the ancient sanguis frater coven bond forged during the pyramid raid.
Seth Capella
Chained to the shadow altar at Acrux Manor. Magic being drained. Still hasn't told Caleb what he feels.
Xavier Acrux
Both wings ripped off by Lionel's shadow claw. Shadow-poison wounds that resist healing. Underground with Tyler and Sofia.
Geraldine Grus
Mauled by Darcy in Shadow Beast form. Shadow claw wounds that resist healing. Underground with Xavier.
Darcy Vega
Fled into the mountains as the Shadow Beast. Phoenix and magic gone — left mortal by the curse. Silver Elysian rings faded. Told by Orion to meet him at dawn where the meteor struck.
Tory Vega
Alone on the battlefield with Darius's body. Her grief detonated as a Phoenix supernova that annihilated every remaining Nymph. Her Phoenix is intact. She holds Gabriel's prophecy. She is a widow of hours.
Portia Silverstone
Safe with Dante Oscura and the rebel forces.
Lionel Acrux
Alive. Holds The Palace of Souls. Has Gabriel as his new Seer. Killed his own son. Army largely intact.
Lavinia Umbra
Alive and fully powered. Shadow Queen and wife of Lionel. Holds Orion as her prisoner. The shadow altar at Acrux Manor remains active.
Vard
Alive. Lost his shadow eye — which was a literal Nymph eyeball gifted by the Shadow Princess. Still Lionel's Seer despite his diminished sight.
Mildred Canopus
Alive. Killed Angelica in Dragon form during the battle. Still aligned with Lionel.
Books in the Zodiac Academy Series:
