Zodiac Academy: The Awakening

Darcy’s daily Gemini horoscope urges her to stay vigilant while the world falls into chaos around her. It also warns that “even the friendliest of dogs can bite” (191). The TV in the House Ignis common area shows the latest news. A Zodiac Academy student has found the body of Ferris Pike in Tucana. The Fae Investigation Bureau has declared that the murderer is a Nymph who is still at large. Darcy notices that the news upsets the Celestial Heirs. Diego tells Darcy that Nymphs are an enemy race to Fae. They aren’t born with inherent Elemental powers but can absorb all the magic of the Fae they kill. They have the gift of shadows, and when they use their ability, their fingernails grow long enough to pierce Fae hearts and leach them of power.

At breakfast, Milton uses Coercion to command Darcy and Tory to kiss. Diego stops them from doing so, but the vile command motivates them to spend every waking moment learning to shield themselves. Darcy, Tory, and Sofia attend Tarot class, where both Darcy and Tory continuously draw the High Priestess. The card’s meaning warns them that someone is either lying to or withholding information from them.