AN OLDER-LOOKING minivan rode smoothly up Main Street in a town in Western Washington. A young man sleptunder a blanket in the back while a chubby yet cute middle-aged woman with mocha brown hair drove, whistlingtunelessly.

  "Monson, honey, we're here."

  Monson Grey awoke with a start but immediately closed his eyes again. He had been sleeping, and Molly totally wokehim up. Uncool. Completely and totally uncool.

  "Molly, not only was I actually sleeping, I was having the best dream ever! Curse you, you irritatingly spiteful woman,for waking me up."

  "Oh, stop your whining. We're here." Molly pointed at a huge granite sign with the words Coren University writtenupon it. "This is a momentous occasion. This is the time when—"

  Monson interrupted. "When you ?nally realize how stupid an idea this is?"

  "The Monson Grey wit strikes again. I remember you being more pleasant before the incident."

  "I remember you being nicer."

  "Har har har, you're hilarious. You don't remember anything. I could be the mistress of the devil himself, and you wouldn't know any better."

  "Well, the joke’s on you, Molly. I'm already well aware of your tempestuous affair with the prince of darkness, but what does that have to do with anything? I'm also well informed about my memory loss, thanks. I'm the one who woke up in the hospital not knowing who I was, remember?"

  She rolled her eyes. "How could I forget? You use it as an excuse every two seconds."

  Monson smiled sweetly. "Which brings me back to my point: Why do I have to go to this school again?"

  Molly threw her wallet at him. "He wanted you at this school, and it’s completely paid for, so stop complaining."

  Monson put his head under the blanket. "Can't wait."

  Molly turned the car up University Street, and Monson ?nally got his ?rst real eyeful of the school that was to becomehis home.

  Coren University had an elite, Ivy League feel to it—an ideal the grounds and buildings took to extremes. The campussprawled waste- fully, taking up the better part of the valley, which was nestled in the middle of the only temperate rainforest in the world. No expense was spared on this school for rich kids, and Monson was already tired of the place.

  A brick wall several dozen feet high encased much of the grounds. The wall was layered with vines so dense that thebrick was barely visible. There would be no climbing those bad boys.

  Monson's annoyance grew. It was bad enough that the mountains surrounding the city of Coren permitted only oneway in or out, but now he felt like he was entering not a school but a fortress, or worse yet, a prison. Looking at the wall,Monson half-expected to see battle- ments with crossbow-carrying sentries overlooking the incoming class. He didn't, ofcourse, but he did see cameras.

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  Surveillance. Great.

  Monson half-grinned as he thought about crossbows. Now that would be cool.

  He continued to scan the vines looking for… well, he didn't know exactly what he was looking for. Possible escaperoutes? Was it odd to scout the area for escape routes? Maybe. But who was going to call him out on it? He didn't knowanyone. Besides, it was a habit of his, so he was grateful. Memory loss tended to make you grateful for odd things. Once Monson and Molly entered the campus, the road forked, one branch continuing to run parallel to the large brick wall andthe other curving out of view into the woods. After a few more minutes of driving, they reached an enormous irongate where the road veered off in a circle, doubling back on itself. Molly pulled in behind a black Cadillac Escaladeand stopped the car. Her hands were shaking in anticipation.

  She grabbed her purse. "Now where did I put that blasted key card?"

  "Key card?" asked Monson.

  "Yes—key card. Everything here is coded." "Coded?"

  "We aren't going to get a lot done if you repeat everything I say," Molly teased. "Yes, coded. You’re going to need yourcard for every- thing here."

  "That sucks." Monson could already sense the restrictions implied by that little tidbit. "Why would they do that?"

  As Molly started to reply, the Escalade darted forward.

  "We're up!" She pulled into the now-vacant space, rolled down the window, and scooted up as close as she could to alarge display screen. "Welcome to Coren University," said a slightly robotic voice. "Insert

  key card identi?cation, please."

  Molly pulled out a small white envelope, opened it, and retrieved a blue key card. She placed the card in the computerdisplay slot. As Monson watched Molly, a rare feeling of affection welled up in him. You couldn't help but love someonelike Molly. She was fun, and though she didn't act like it, smart. Molly's presence in this particular venture was extra fortunate, as she happened to beconsiderably more excited about Coren than he was. He did not want to be here—she was making him. But she was theadult; he was the kid. What could he do?

  Big bold letters appeared on the screen at the same time the computer said, "Mr. Grey, Horum Vir. Welcome to CorenUniversity—"

  "What the hell did it just say?" Monson asked, drowning out the rest of the computer’s greeting and raising aneyebrow.

  "Don't swear, dear," Molly said, trying to listen to the rest of the message. Finally convinced that there wasn't any moreto be heard, she started to pull forward, saying, "I think we go this way."

  "You didn't answer my question," Monson said, looking around as they entered the parking lot.

  "I know." She glanced around, presumably looking for a parking spot.

  Monson gritted his teeth. He HATED it when she did that. She had a really annoying habit of ignoring whatever shedeemed unimportant.

  Parking was a nightmare, due mostly to the considerable number of students, parents, and attendants. There seemedto be as many servants as students in this place; probably something to be expected at a school like Coren. The studentpopulation was exceptionally diverse, which Monson liked, but there was a noticeable socioeco- nomic gap; that he hadnot expected. Considering Coren was the wealthiest and most exclusive private school in the world, many of the studentsplayed their part and arrived in style. Stretch limousines in every make and color littered the visitor's parking lot, eacharrival trying to outdo the last. Other expensive modes of transportation were also plentiful, including helicopters, jets,and to Monson's delight, a hovercraft. Now that wasn't something one saw every day.