Page 61 of Strange Familiars
I suppose I can’t blame him, since it would be highly hypocritical of me. When I think about my father being in a coma, all I feel is numb. Which is slightly concerning—surely I should be feelingsomething?
But there’s nothing.
What do people normally feel when their father’s life hangs inthe balance? Most people would feel sad, I’d expect, but not me. Has he—being so cold and distant my whole life—trained me to be cold and distant, also?
Perhaps we Briggs men are just far too pragmatic. It’s not like Father and I ever had any semblance of closeness. There’s no love there to mourn the loss of, nothing tangible to grieve over. And I refuse to feel sad over the purely hypothetical.
I keep my eyes on Nathaniel as he blows out a puff of smoke, wondering ifheever shows signs of sadness. Has he even noticed that Percy, his old familiar, is missing? And if so, has he already purchased himself a replacement?
The cigar smoke immediately dissipates, leaving a nebulous scent of tobacco floating in the air. Nathaniel once told me that magical cigars are exactly like regular cigars except the smoke is enchanted to evaporate instantly. I never thought to ask where it actually disappearsto.
“You know, son.” With the cigar still clamped between his teeth, Nathaniel pulls another from his pocket, offering it to me. With a wave of my hand, I decline, and he stuffs it back in his pocket and leans his elbows on the balcony’s balustrades. “For a while I thought it was your father who was trying to sabotage my company. I thought he wanted to depose me. But then he got caught up in that explosion, and I realized that it most likely isn’t him.”
The thud of my heartbeat speeds up, and the back of my neck is clammy. I mirror the other man’s movements by leaning down and also propping my elbows on the rail.
Nathaniel is wily—as Magecorp CEO, he has to be—and I must choose my words wisely if I’m going to get him to talk. “So it’s someone external to Magecorp, then, sir? Who’s trying to sabotage the business?”
He blows out another stream of smoke. His jowls wobble as heshakes his head. “Your guess is as good as mine, my boy. I hope it’s not someone from within the company. You know, I try to be a good employer…But it’s not always easy. Balancing the needs of thousands of people. Tens of thousands, if you count foreign branches.
“But I’ve always tried to do right by them. I’m not perfect, but I will stand by that statement. And if it is an insider job, then it would be very disappointing, Harrisford. Very disappointing indeed.” He stares down at the revelers for a moment, lost in a cloud of gloom.
So our theory is right. Itissabotage, and my father was telling the truth. That’s something, at least. “I’m sure it’s not one of yours, Mr.Price,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “I’m sure it’s just some fringe group with an irrational vendetta against Magecorp.” Maybe the media is right. Maybe itisthe MLO.
He sighs. “You’re probably onto something.” Giving me a sidelong glance, he adds, “You’re a smart kid, Harrisford. And well connected. If you hear anything out there”—he waves his hand in the general direction of the museum’s entrance—“you come straight to me, agreed?”
I nod, though I’m silently seething at the way he still treats me like a child. All thesons, andkids, andboys—he’s trying to sound paternal, but it just comes across as naff. I already loathe my own father; I don’t need someone else trying to step into the role. It’s just another opportunity for them to let me down. To manipulate me. To use me as a pawn in their games.
Finally, I spot Gwendolynne, my gaze narrowing in on her from above. My gut gives an uncomfortable lurch.
She’s found a friend—a Black girl wearing a silver sequined dress—and they’re crossing the dance floor, weaving hurriedly through the crowd. For a moment, I fancy that she looks up. Catches my eye. But then I blink, and she’s gone…it was probably just my imagination.
I’m temporarily distracted as Nathaniel pushes up off the railing and then turns to lean back against it. He studies me for a long while, still puffing on his cigar, until my collar feels several sizes too tight.
Finally, he says, “How’s school going?”
“University is going well, sir. We’re about to sit our final exams—”
“And then you’ll what, join the Office of Magical Animals at the Ministry?”
I turn around to lean my back against the balustrades, too. “If I come first, then yes.” Spying the grimace that flits over Nathaniel’s face, I continue. “It’s a good role for someone like me. The salary is well above anything a new grad vet makes, the work is interesting, there’s ample room for promotion…Historically, most of the past recruits have gone on to have high-up ministerial positions.”
I don’t add the most important reason: the fact that it isn’t Magecorp.
“Well, Harrisford, you know that if you don’t win the position, then we at Magecorp will absolutely welcome you with open arms. Your father’s been angling for you to join the business since you were barely out of nappies—”
“I know he has.” I try not to sound too glum about it. The prospect of a lifelong career at Magecorp has been hanging over my head like a scythe for as long as I can remember.
Naïvely, I had thought that enrolling in vet school might show Father that I wanted something different—a different path, a different life. I had even let myself imagine days driving around the countryside, music turned up, showing up to farms in mud-splattered coveralls. Earning a wage that was entirely my own.
But my actions just solidified my father’s ambitions, made him even more determined. The first week of the semester wasn’t even over when he’d already approached Nathaniel and convinced the bigboss to set up a brand-new magical familiars facility. A whole, separate business arm devoted to breeding animals. With me, Darghan Briggs’s son, as the inaugural head of the Veterinary Department.
The last time we’d argued about it, my father had given me an ultimatum. Come first, and win the Ministry position, or else I’ll have to do as he wants and join him at the company. And the worst part? If I don’t win the Ministry position, and don’t join Magecorp, my father had threatened to use his considerable influence to make my life elsewhereverydifficult. His sway at the Ministry is limited to a few hefty donations, but any other business, any other workplace…Magecorp supplies the vast majority of them. With just one phone call, he could easily prevent my promotion, rendering me incapable of any career progression at all.
My jaw muscles clench at the thought, and my head grows hot. I force myself to breathe. Perhaps I’m not so numb about my father’s condition after all. Perhaps the feeling I’ve mistaken for detachment is actually one of…relief.
If Father recovers and I don’t win the Ministry role, then I’ll be stuck at Magecorp for good, under his control and entirely subject to his whims. I’d do anything to escape that preordained fate. And the only thing throwing a wrench in my plan is—you guessed it—Gwendolynne.
Nathaniel is still talking. “And he’s very keen to see you progress up the ranks. It’s not every day a graduate can walk out of university and straight into a leadership role. Trust me when I say it would set you up for life. You could even find yourself inmyjob one day!” He booms out a short, sharp laugh.
