Hex: Hex Duet, #2

By Sian B. Claven

Returning to Harbour is one thing. Dealing with Harbour is another.

Claire, having changed her name from Sara, has been found, and is offered a chance to come back to Harbour to raise the twins together. Or they could arrest her, and she'll never see the twins again. Left with not much of a choice, Claire packs up in Montana and moves across the country, back to her hometown.

Dark secrets await her, though. A mysterious woman is following their family and watching them, creeping ever closer. Claire starts to have strange dreams and the twins discover things about themselves they didn't think would be possible.

As things steadily get out of hand, Claire is forced to make decisions to save the twins, but will it be enough? Will she be able to fight her own fear as well as the town of Harbour? Who are the mysterious women who haunt the family?

Fans of dark horror stories like those of Stephen King will appreciate this story.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Sian B. Claven
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215282915

Sian B. Claven

Known as the International Bestselling, Award-winning Author of horrific old-school terror titles such as Buried and the Asylum Series, Sian B. Claven brings back a nostalgic telling of creepy tales. Aiming high, this misleadingly bubbly author terrifies her fans with tales of ghosts, murderers, and demonic possessions as though handing out candy to children, all while expanding her releases from her first young adult horror in 2017 to her more recent explicit demonic occult horror in 2021. With an on the edge of your seat series, Claven enthralled her readers with her Butcher series, surprising them with a fourth and now final book in the series in 2021 as part of the Notorious Mind’s Boxset, along with Shh, which were both part of the Soul’s Day Boxset which made her an International Bestselling Author. Claven also dabbles in the Science-Fiction Space Adventure genre, having republished her Spacehiker Adventure Series – Unlikely Hero with an updated cover and storyline after receiving criticism about the book’s length. Claven looks forward to expanding this universe. Further challenging herself, Claven also tackled writing a paranormal romance series, the first of which released as part of the Possessed by Passion boxset in March 2021. The series will continue, and Claven looks forward to exploring this new world. Born in Southern Africa, Claven resides in Johannesburg, where she grew up with a vivid imagination and has been writing for as long as she can remember. When she was not immersing herself in books, she created her own worlds, both by herself and with her friends. After her sister immigrated in 2017, Claven wrote and published her first book and has been on an amazing journey ever since. Claven is an avid Harry Potter and Star Wars fan, Funko Pop Collector, 3d Puzzle builder, Diamon Art painter, and studying addict. She also has a penchant for Lego. She resides with her two best friends, their six dogs, and two cats.

Book preview

Prologue

It had been eight years since Sara had left Harbour with Alexia, and the years had not been easy.

Not at first.

The first thing Sara set about doing was having her name changed and paying someone to arrange a birth certificate for Alexia, changing her name as well. Now, she was Claire Wreath, who had moved to the city across the country to raise her one-year-old daughter Montana Wreath.

And so began their new lives together, and Claire did her best not to think about Holly, Alexia’s twin sister who had been left back in Harbour. Claire still didn’t understand why she had been given only one of the twins or why she was asked to leave, but she had done as Christine had requested.

Using the money Christine had given her, Claire Wreath managed to attend a school and get her teaching diploma while Montana was at the school’s daycare facility. It was a school especially for young mothers, so Claire fit right in, as far as the stereotype was concerned.

With her qualifications in hand, she sought out and got a job teaching at local schools, only moving from strength to strength, and eventually, she started to teach at an elite private school.

Nothing could pop the beautiful dream bubble that Claire had built around herself and Montana.

---

Only something did…

---

It was a beautiful day, the day that everything changed. Claire was up early and sipping her coffee, going over her notes for the day, when she looked out of the window of their house at her beautiful daughter playing with their dog in the front garden. Montana had been having troubles lately, and it had started to affect her sleeping. Strange troubles, they had been, where her teachers had begun to accuse her of the oddest things.

Claire’s mother would have said that it was nothing a cup of tea couldn’t fix, but Claire didn’t keep stock with that old lore. In fact, they barely ever drank tea in the house. Instead, Montana was fond of fruit juice or hot chocolate, and Claire preferred coffee all the time.

Still, the troubles were unsettling. Putting frogs in teachers’ coffee cups or dipping a girl’s pig tales in ink. Even going as far as throwing a student’s schoolbag into a tree on a high branch, as unlikely as it might seem.

Claire had promised to deal with the problems, but so far, Montana had stood firmly with the belief that she hadn’t done anything, not a thing, aside from look at the person in question. Montana claimed the things happened on their own, like magic.

Claire had tried everything to reason with her, to get her to tell the truth, but nothing worked, strict or not, and she was now considering taking Montana to a therapist to deal with her lies.

This morning, however, as Claire contemplated how innocent her daughter looked playing with Bong, their strange little mutt they had rescued from a vagrant drug addict, a dark sense of foreboding fell over Claire.

She looked out at the street and found that a man was standing and staring at Montana from across the road. Claire watched him for a moment, and when he didn’t move, her nerves kicked into high gear, and she rushed to the door and opened it. The minute it was open, the man walked away.

Montana, bring Bong in now, Claire said sternly.

Okay, Montana called, taking Bong by his collar and bringing him to where Claire waited. She watched them walk inside before she looked for the man again, but he was gone.

Claire couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. As they walked towards school, which was only a few blocks away, Claire was sure that someone was either following them or watching them. She looked around as casually as she could but did not see the man from earlier that morning. She did, however, feel that a woman walking in the same direction was looking at Montana too closely. Claire took a deep, shaky breath and let it out slowly. She was being paranoid. She always was paranoid about Montana. That someone would swoop in and take her away.

The day was just like any other day at school, and Claire flew through her classes with little to no hassle, the joys of working at a private institution. She had one wobble of a moment when, at recess, while observing the students at play, she thought she saw the man from earlier watching the children through the fence, but she couldn’t make out if it were him or not, and by the time she had crossed the field to the fence, there was no one in sight.

At the end of the school day, Claire straightened out her class and prepared for the next day while she waited for Montana’s detention to end. It seemed like Montana had detention all the time lately with the troubles she was causing. Claire sighed softly as she thought about it, waiting for her daughter in the corridor.

The children were released from detention, and Claire gave Montana a small smile. Did it go okay?

Yes, Mama, Montana said, shouldering her bag.

Good girl, it’ll be over before you know it, Claire said, putting an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and leading her out of the school building.

Mondays were park days, so Claire didn’t take the usual route home. Instead, she went straight across the road and down another to get to the park near their house.

The feeling of being watched returned quickly, and she glanced around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and she gave herself a little mental shake to try to ease off the nerves.

She was paranoid about Montana naturally, and today was just a bad day.

As soon as they reached the edge of the park, Montana took off at lightning speed to go and play on the various types of park equipment available. Here, Montana lost herself in her imagination, especially because this was the less popular park in the city, so few children were playing here. It was why Claire had chosen it over the others. Here Montana didn’t worry about being liked or disliked or not having friends; she simply played happily.

Claire sat on a bench and took out a book to read while Montana played. She opened to the place she had been and started to read, glancing up now and then to check on Montana.

Her spine tingled, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Something wasn’t right. She looked around and saw a woman sitting on a bench on the opposite side of the playground watching Montana play. No other children were playing, and she was sitting there just watching Montana.

Claire shut her book slowly, and the woman looked directly at her and smiled. The smile felt forced and evil, and Claire didn’t like it. She looked around and saw the same man from this morning standing on the side of the street near the woman, also just staring at Montana.

Claire stood up and called, Montana, come here.

Her daughter looked over at her but didn’t move, so Claire said more sternly, Now!

Looking hurt, Montana climbed down and ran to Claire’s outstretched hand, taking it. Claire looked up and saw the man and woman now standing together, near the street, so she turned and walked to the opposite side of the park, where there was a gate with a back-alley exit. She led Montana through it and then hurried her down the alley, turning right at the end to go home. Now and then, Claire would glance back, but she didn’t see anyone following them. She almost sighed a breath of relief, but then she looked up at her front door and saw someone standing there.

It was neither the man nor the woman from the park, and yet he seemed familiar.

Mrs. Wreath? he asked gruffly.

Yes, Claire said, pulling Montana against her. Can I help you?

We need to talk, ma’am, he hitched his belt up, Can we do this inside?

I’d prefer not to, Claire said, holding Montana.

Ma’am, you don’t want us to do this out here, he said, nodding to something behind her.

She glanced behind her, and the man and woman were there, standing with two other men. Claire looked back at the man standing at her front door and said, I’ll scream.

Montana, frightened, whimpered against her.

You won’t because then I’d have to have you arrested, he said.

He held up a badge, and Claire edged just a little bit forward and instantly recognized it as the police badge from Harbour. Her stomach bottomed out, and she swallowed hard. She needed to be strong for Montana.

Claire raised her head defiantly and said, Only you, your little brigade waits outside.

Fine, he replied, stepping out of the way.

And you are? Claire asked.

Chief of Police, Henry James, he said, inclining his head, Can we go in now?

Yes, yes, Claire said and led Montana up the few steps to their front door.

Mama… Montana started, but Claire shook her head.

Hush, honey. She fumbled with her keys nervously before finding the right one and opening the door. Just go to your room and lock the door until I come and get you. Take Bong with you.

Looking pale and shaken, Montana walked inside the house carefully and took Bong by his collar, leading him to her bedroom and shutting the door.

Claire looked at Henry and motioned for him to step inside the house; she followed once he did and shut the door.

Do you want something to drink?

Meaning no offense, but I wouldn’t trust anything you gave me, Henry said as Claire led him to the kitchen.

They sat opposite each other at the kitchen table, and Claire said, Well?

Sara Landsword, I know you left that night with baby Alexia, he stated. And I know you changed your name and her name, thinking you were protecting her from something evil, but the truth has come out, and, well, you have to bring her back.

Claire swallowed hard and was about to deny everything when Henry leaned back. Of course, if you want, I can call the local police, and we can do a DNA test and background check and take it from there.

I don’t understand what you want, Claire finally lamented. You want me to take Montana back to Harbour? And then what happens? I go to jail?

Look, ma’am, this is a seriously strange circumstance, and Mayor Broker is well aware of it. We have been trying to track you down for years to explain it to you. You were really hard to find.

Claire tried not to smile at that comment.

Truth be told, we don’t blame you. You were young, you trusted your mother more than anything, but the thing is, you don’t really know your mother all that well, Sara.

Please call me Claire, she said quietly, It makes for less confusion.

Alright, Claire, your mother was a diagnosed schizophrenic who Mayor Broker tried to save as a teenager from her drunken and drug-addled parents. She suffered from hallucinations and had a borderline personality disorder. Do you know about those?

I know what they are, Claire said softly, but not… My mother was a good mother.

And I ain’t saying otherwise, but as the disease progressed, so did the hallucinations and beliefs she suffered from.

Has she been sent to a facility or something? Claire asked. Is she getting treated?

I’m sorry to tell you, ma’am, Henry said, bowing his head for a moment before looking at Claire sadly, but your mother took her own life not three months ago.

Claire felt like her heart was shattering to pieces. She hadn’t spoken to her mother in eight years because she believed she was doing the right thing, doing what her mother had wanted her to do, and now she was gone.

How do I know what you’re telling me is true?

About your mother dying?

About everything! Claire said, trying to stem the tears that were threatening to overflow.

Because I could have just called the local department and had you arrested and brought to justice, which is what I should have done.

Then why don’t you? Claire asked. None of this makes any sense.

I know, I know, Henry said gently. He reached across the table to pat her hand, but she pulled away, and he sighed. Look, Mayor Broker doesn’t want to bring you to book because you didn’t know you were doing anything wrong. Well, you thought you were doing something for the greater good, at least. He said that if you bring Montana back and raise her in Harbour, he’ll let you raise her as her mother, and she’ll never know any different.

What about her sister? Claire asked quietly. How do I explain that?

Oh, that’s another condition of Mayor Broker’s deal. If you want to raise Montana, you need to raise Holly as well. Not sure how you’ll explain it to your girl, but we told Holly they were given up for adoption and separated at birth.

You want me to tell my kid she was adopted? Claire said in disbelief as Henry stood up.

Isn’t she? he rebutted. Claire stared at him as he continued, No use running, ‘cause we got eyes on you now, Claire. Best thing you can do is come on home. Come home, your mom’s place is still as it was, and your girl…your girls can have a nice, happy life together. Holly is a decent kid. She’s been brought up by the mayor himself. He’s just getting too old to run around after kids now.

Claire swallowed hard. And if I refuse? she asked.

Well then, Claire, you go to jail and Alexia…Montana comes home without you.

He nodded to her and walked towards the front door without a backward glance, and Claire sat there wondering what the hell to do.

Chapter One

The thought of what Claire had to do festered inside of her long after Chief Henry James had left with his little brigade of helpers, although Claire suspected that not all of his handy little assistants had gone. She was sure many stayed close by to ensure she didn’t get any clever ideas about making off with Montana in the dead of night.

After seeing the chief out of the house, Claire went to get Montana out of her room. She knocked quietly on the door, and Bong barked, making Montana scream a little.

It’s just me, Claire called through the door. It’s okay, he’s gone.

The sound of paws and footsteps came to the door, and the lock slid out of place as Montana unlocked it. She opened it slowly, not trusting that the scary man wasn’t holding her mother as a hostage. Claire was sad that this was what she had taught Montana about the law. It was necessary, though, and it had been a scary incident.

After scouting the hallway to ensure they were alone, Montana hugged Claire tightly without a word. Claire wrapped her arms around her daughter while Bong bounded out of the room to sniff around where the chief had been sitting.

What did that man want, Mama? Montana asked, her voice muffled as her face was buried against Claire’s abdomen.

We’ll talk about it over dinner, Claire decided after a short pause, It’s going to be pizza tonight.

Montana’s mood instantly lightened, it was her favorite food, and Claire wanted to make this as pleasant as possible. It hadn’t always been an easy ride for them, and Claire didn’t want to break the news to Montana without any feeling.

We didn’t get to finish playing at the park; those people will leave us alone now. Why don’t we go back? Claire offered.

Okay, Mama, Montana agreed. I’ll put my shoes back on.

Her daughter left, and Claire went to wait in the kitchen. She thought about everything the chief had said. About her mother and Holly. She wondered if it could be true, and she wondered if her mother had been ill. Somehow she wanted to believe it possible that her mother had made a mistake, and this was Claire’s chance to start fresh and let go of the secret, but at the same time, her mother had warned her not to trust anyone from Harbour. How did she know that what the chief was telling her was the truth? She would go back to Harbour because she had no choice, but she would do some digging of her own.

Montana came to the kitchen and smiled; the problems that weighed on Claire’s mind didn’t weigh on hers, and the danger of the chief was already passing away from her daughter’s mind.

Can we take Bong? she pleaded. It’ll be fun.

Sure, Claire agreed, but he has to stay on a leash until we get there. Go and get him on it.

Montana did as instructed while Claire waited. They left shortly after that, and Montana walked ahead of Claire with her faithful mutt on a lead. It didn’t take them long to reach the park. There were more children there, but not many, and Montana took the leash off Bong and handed it to Claire, leading her dog to play with her. Montana spotted some of her friends, and they all cheered as they grouped together to play with the faithful pup.

Claire found a bench and sat down, watching Montana absentmindedly. She thought about what they had been through to get here.

It hadn’t been easy arranging the birth certificate and changes of names. It had cost a large portion of the money Christine had given them, but with that secured, Claire had felt safer. At first, she had moved around a lot because she didn’t want to be traced. She had sold her car and bought another with cash. She kept switching cars a few times so it wouldn’t be traced back to her.

Then she had settled in a city and started on her teaching diploma, claiming to be a teen who had gotten pregnant. She had felt guilty for lying to get into the school, especially because she had had to bribe officials to fabricate Claire Wreath’s school history and GPA. She was sure she had displaced someone who had needed the scholarship she had received as a result.

The scholarship had covered her teaching degree, contributed towards her housing, school supplies, and daycare for Montana. She had done well in her degree, enough to maintain the scholarship but not well enough to stand out and garner attention from anyone.

Once completed, she had moved again, a few times. Montana had been five when they had finally settled in the city where they were. Claire had felt secure now they had sufficiently covered their tracks and were cross country from Harbour. She’d applied for her teaching position, secured their home, eventually rescued Bong the previous year from the vagrant, and life was normal.

For three years, they had settled into a calm routine of what life was like, and Claire hadn’t thought about Harbour for a long time. In fact, Claire rarely thought about her hometown. Whenever she did, it was weird. It was as though her memories were smudged.

She could recall certain things in vivid detail. The night she left, her mother and how she smelt. She remembered how beautiful Harbour had been as a town, but when she tried to remember things about her childhood, interactions with other people…she could remember them, but the details were fuzzy, as though someone had left dirty fingerprints over her memories.

She couldn’t remember her friends, although she was sure she must have had some. She couldn’t remember her mother’s friends, or who babysat her, or details about her teachers. It was weird; it was as though something was repressing her memories, and she was only noticing now.

It disturbed her. It made her wonder if it was safe to return to Harbour.

Hey, stranger. Angelynn Musgrave nudged Claire as she sat beside her on the bench, drawing her out of her thoughts. Angelynn was the mother of one of Montana’s friends, Kimberly.

Oh hey, Claire responded, giving her a small smile.

Penny for your thoughts? she asked, offering Claire a potato chip from her bag.

Big decision just made, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Claire took the chip and popped it into her mouth.

How big? Like changing my hair ‘cause I’m having a midlife crisis big, or I’m getting married to a secret love big? Angelynn teased.

Claire sighed and looked at her feet. More like I’ve been keeping a big secret, and now I’ve got to move back home across the country to face it, and I don’t know how to tell my daughter kind.

Angelynn’s mouth dropped open, and she set the chips down. What do you mean move? What’s going on? We’re just becoming friends now. You’ve been a tough nut to crack!

I know, Claire said sadly. And you’ve been so sweet to Montana. The truth is, and I haven’t told Montana this…. Claire paused, considering that maybe if she said it aloud to another adult, it would be easier to say to Montana later. Well, the thing is, I adopted Montana when she was a year old.

Angelynn placed a hand on her shoulder. Oh, sweetie, are the birth parents contesting it now? she asked quietly.

No, nothing like that. She has a twin sister back home that needs a family, and I’ve been asked to take care of her.

Why can’t she come out to you? Angelynn asked gently.

It’s complicated, Claire sighed, But I need to do the right thing, and the right thing is to go back. I’m just not sure how to tell Montana.

Angelynn sat back, and the two of them watched their children running around with Bong happily. It was a moment before they spoke again.

"Well, Montana is a kind and thoughtful child; no matter how you say it, I’m sure she’s going to understand it’s the right thing to do, and