Book excerpt: As a royal in the Ancient Court, Nic's life is planned out for him. Those plans do NOT include falling in love with a human...18-year-old Macy Moreno meant to spend a few months backpacking around Europe. Instead, she's ended up in an ancient castle belonging to international soccer sensation Nicolo Buonaccorsi. Macy thought it might be fun to meet a celebrity-especially one as hot as Nicolo, but things at Nic's house are a bit... strange. For one thing, she's only one of many girls there, and all the others seem to be under some sort of spell. And while their exotic "hosts" are generous and intensely beautiful, they're also a little terrifying. They keep promising the girls they'll get to meet the handsome and wealthy sports star-but they don't deliver. Macy is done with the whole bizarre situation and ready to hit the road again. But her life takes a thrilling and startling turn when she catches the eye of the mysterious and alluring Nicolo-- and learns the truth about him and the Ancient Court's Hidden Game... Romantic and gripping, Hidden Game will transport fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance to a fascinating world within our own, filled with suspense, danger, and desire. Readers captivated by Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga will devour Hidden Game.