Rane's Giants Read online

  Rane’s Giants

  Tremble Island [1]

  Lynn Ray Lewis

  *

  In book one of Tremble Island: Tremble Castle is overflowing with residents. The problem is they are coming from different Halls of Care in the region. Lord Lion and Lord Nord are facing a major problem if they didn’t seek the reason to the sudden influx of people. A journey to the Halls is needed for the answers. Droildorf Hall becomes the first of many stops.

  Rane is the resident healer in the village. When a man’s unwanted interest turns toward her, she uses her favorite hiding spot within the walls of Droildorf Hall to escape it. While there, she finds herself healing and collecting men that will change her life forever. After having power that so many fear away from, she is warmed by the trust the giants besot on her. She then finds out why—the men are unique and feared in their own right.

  In the presence of the Lady, the brothers soon realize the prophesy has begun and the fates have once again delivered on their word—they would share a mate. However, along with that knowledge comes the true test of their mating. Can they keep her safe to enjoy a long life with her? Especially when others have different plans for them all.

  Warning: Sexually explicit content. Ménage - MFM

  Rane’s Giants

  Tremble Island Series

  Book One

  by Lynn Ray Lewis

  © Copyright October 2013 JK Publishing, Inc.

  ISBN# 9781301038619

  All cover art and logo © Copyright October 2013 by JK Publishing, Inc.

  All rights reserved.

  Edited by Caroline Kirby

  Artwork by JK Publishing, Inc.

  Published by JK Publishing, Inc.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

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  Dedication

  Mary@menagereviewer. Hopefully this one will make you a happy camper. Your words of encouragement and suggestions to improve my writing are duly noted and appreciated. Thank you.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Books by Lynn Ray Lewis

  Excerpt from Weekend Surrender

  Excerpt from Mated

  Excerpt from Rush Against Time

  Excerpt from Jasmine’s Escape

  Prologue

  The crash of a large silver spaceship went unremarked by the planet’s inhabitants. They were too busy trying to live and provide for their own species without worrying about the fifty humans who survived the crash of the aircraft. They had been sent on a mission to establish a colony of humankind on faraway planets. After three Earth years of exploration, testing soils, and looking for vegetation growing on several planets, the ship had developed mechanical problems that could not be repaired. All one hundred people on the spacecraft were prepared to die as the ship dropped from space.

  After the initial shock of discovery, they had been fortunate enough to land on a planet that was comparable to the one they had left behind. The humans began to establish a small but growing community for themselves. The longer they lived on this rock, the more exploration they began to do. It appeared to be a doppelganger of Earth. An Earth that no one could imagine, it was a clean environment. There were no factories or large cities. This planet was as virgin as a newborn baby. The humans called the planet Echo.

  There was a wealth of first hand information for the scientists and environmentalists of the new colony of human beings. With the technology they brought with them and the natural abundance, humans thrived and discovered the evolution of mankind was happening right outside the gates of their new home.

  The between times were upon this new world. New evolving species were abundant and the separation of evolved man transitioning from beast to fully human was a long process. The scientists were fascinated by the creatures that closely resembled the human race. They experimented with DNA from the most evolved creatures and combined their own human DNA with that of the creatures. This resulted in an even more fascinating discovery when they harvested human embryos with the DNA of the creatures and implanted the fertile eggs in both human females and animal creatures. They had actually helped evolution along, by birthing more intelligent life forms that, in most cases, could shift from creature to human. Some of the offspring were born with enhanced senses and some were born with no visible or physical animal attributes. Many humans born between the integration of human and evolving human featured creatures still transitioned between two or more species and the process continued at a slow pace. Those that were born fully human began to ban together, away from the half-human, half-animal beings.

  As the humans multiplied, they shunned the evolving species. Humans believed that associating with their own ancestors might in some way bring the animal back into their own bodies. Even
tually, as with all human arrogance, the shapeshifters and evolving beings were considered dangerous to humans everywhere. The humans began exploring and looking for more land to set up colonies. Ships were built for the purpose of finding and populating new lands. Hundreds of such voyages became common as their populations exploded. One such voyage brought the ship to an ideal place, an island that was perfect for their needs.

  The island was named by early explorers who had sailed into the bay surrounded by lush vegetation and beautiful white sandy beaches. Upon further exploration, they found mountains, lakes and rivers, and several hot mineral springs. New, delicious fruits and vegetables were found, as well as fish and small game.

  The explorers began building a village between the lush forest and the mountain range. Everything they could possibly wish for was provided on the island. Plans were made for a return trip to gather families and friends to inhabit the new land. The ship was re-fitted and would be ready to sail within days.

  The farewell celebration was underway when the people felt the planet tremble. Ear splitting whistles and throaty screams could be heard in the forest surrounding the small encampment. The trembling of the planet shaking, and pounding noise continued throughout the night. The animal screams and calls seemed to be coming closer.

  When the roar of a big cat broke a small silence, the men gathered around the communal eating shelter. All eyes were attending the forest and surrounding area. Crashing trees and animal screams grew closer. The planet shook harder as the creatures came closer.

  Huge grey bodies began to be seen stomping through the small encampment. The huts were stomped into the dirt and the few items of survival were destroyed in seconds. As the mountainous creatures came closer to the shelter, men began to scatter and run toward the only safety they knew. Their ship sat in the bay, and was ready enough to sail away from the paradise that had become a nightmare.

  Two of the men did not show on the beach. No one was willing to go back and attempt to rescue their companions. The ship pulled anchor and was drifting out of the bay with the current of the ocean within the hour.

  Tremble Island became the new home for any evolving species. It was a dumping ground for the odd or gifted humans. When humans became afraid of their origins, evolving beings were shipped to the island. No one wanted to be reminded they were parented by the exact type of beings who were sent away.

  Those hybrid shapeshifters varied from having two forms to eight forms. The shifters with the most animal forms and had a human body to call, were highly intelligent and began to rule the island. Over the years more humans were sent to the island. Men and women convicted of any crime were sent to feed the beasts of Tremble Island.

  The current Lord of Tremble Island was Lion. At present he had six beasts to call to form. His sire was a highly intelligent man who began opening trade with other countries. The treaties he established with those countries always had a caveat. No shapeshifter or human with power energies could leave the island. Humans were the only species allowed to come and go as trade became the norm.

  There were now few of the giant beasts left on the island. As they died off, none replaced the population. This was a fact no one shared with outsiders. To the world, Tremble Island was a wild untamed place where humans were food for the beasts. This reputation was enjoyed by the populace.

  The governing of the island was divided into twelve Halls of Care. Six of these halls were governed by humans and six by shifters. The balance of human and animal was strictly enforced wherever possible, for the continued mutual respect of all. Tremble Castle sat on a high cliff, over-looking the bay the first explorers had discovered.

  The halls were established to care for the inhabitants of each division. Lord Tremble was the ultimate rule of the island. As with all countries, there was need for order and oversight to keep those who ruled from exploiting those who lived in their community.

  Skirmishes and small-scale battles between neighboring sectors occasionally popped up and it was the Lord Tremble’s obligation to resolve the issue.

  Lord Lion shared most of his duties with his brother Lord Nord. They were born days apart. They were the result of a ménage relationship consisting of their father, and his female mates. Since Lion was born first and had the most animal forms to call, he was declared The Lord Tremble. Nord was his second in command and referred to as Lord Tremble also.

  Welcome to Tremble Island. Where shapeshifters of many forms evolve and thrive. A place where those with talents of sight and energy are welcome. Odd beings are accepted in the society with open arms.

  Chapter One

  They brought another prisoner into the dungeon, and shackled him to the damp stone wall where he would be left to die just as the last three before him had died. This man was a giant compared to the how the last one had been, but his size would not save him. His numerous wounds would be the death of him. His long brown hair was matted with blood and his left eye was swollen shut with a nasty bruise already colored a bright blue. His side showed a long thin sword wound that blood still seeped from and his chest was decorated with numerous cuts and bruises in varying shades of blue to green and bright red where the cuts were freshest.

  Rane watched from behind the trunk filled with braided whips and other torture implements as Lord Ludwig Mueller, the lord of Droildorf Hall, grabbed a handful of the prisoner’s matted hair, and slammed his head into the solid rock.

  “It is too bad that you will not live to see the fruits of your work today. When you killed Lord Franks, you gifted me with all that was his. As his Heir, I am bound to avenge his death with yours. From the way you are bleeding, death will come swiftly.” Lord Franks was dead these past two years. The convenient capture of this giant warrior, and his swiftly coming death, made a good scapegoat for Lord Ludwig. He could blame Lord Frank’s death on this man to explain the lord’s absence should questions arise.

  The Lord left with his men and Rane breathed a sigh of relief. She was hiding in the dungeon from the lord’s brother, Simon. It was now her turn to be used by Simon, or so he told her two hours before she hid in this spot.

  ****

  Simon’s current victim, Della, was now pregnant with his child. Rane saw the way he treated the girl, and she wanted no part of his tender mercies. He was still evil and cruel. She had witnessed his cruelty toward the girl one time and it sickened her.

  When no one else was around, he forced Della to take his man part into her mouth while he grabbed her hair, and shoved his cock as deeply as it would go down her throat. He continued to shove into her mouth no matter how she struggled, until he moaned and shot his nasty juice into her mouth. She did not dare spit it out, or he would have beaten her until she passed out. Della had also told her that she knew her soul was going to the demons for praying the babe would not be born alive. She was willing to burn with the demons because the God and Goddess had ignored her pleas for help to get away from Simon.

  Rane was twenty-four years old now, and much smaller than most females her age. She had no family. The village women had raised her from the first memory she could recall. Old Erma, the village healer, told Rane that no one knew where she came from. One day she appeared in the Lord’s Hall with only the small blue shift on her back. They estimated her to be two years of age at the time, since she barely spoke and her size was so small.

  Lord Ludwig’s younger brother, Simon, demonstrated his hatred of her from the day he met her. While she was sitting in the bough of an apple tree hiding, he was taunting a puppy with a rope tied to its neck. He would toss the pup into the pond and drag it out, then continue the torture until the puppy no longer bobbed back to the surface of the water.

  Once she saw him walk away with his friends, she scooted down the tree and grabbed the rope, pulling the pup onto the shore. She pushed on the small ribs and tried to breathe life into the little bag of bones but nothing she did worked.

  Ludwig, heir to the hall at the time, and Simon walked by as she finishe
d burying the puppy’s small body. She had been crying until she saw Simon. Then she marched over to the Ludwig, stopping both boys in their tracks, before bobbing a small curtsey, and told him what his brother had done to the little animal.

  Simon had called her a liar and shoved her, knocking her to the ground. Ludwig told her to never bother him with such trivial things again. At the tender age of seven, she learned the hard way that both brothers were cruel, and cared only for their own pleasures. That evening after the meal, Simon grabbed her away from the hearth and stood her in front of the men and his brother.

  “This urchin has the audacity to name me a murderer of curs. She has the audacity to interrupt her Lord to-be with trivial matters that she has no business in. I say she should be banished from the hall until she learns manners.”

  No one said a word as Lord Franks signaled the guards to toss the urchin from the warm safety of the hall. It was a dark night and she was afraid. One of the lord’s soldiers found her curled up in the stables on a pile of hay and carried her to Old Erma’s hut.

  The old woman had soothed her and tended to her bruises. They had developed a loving bond during the next years as Old Erma taught Rane about medicines and herbs. It was also during those years of learning that they discovered Rane’s special gift of healing.

  When it became obvious that one of the children was suffering from a severe infection of the lungs and would probably die, Rane held the child while Old Erma soothed its parents. She pictured the child’s chest, and could see in her mind the colors of red and yellow. The yellow was taking over the red, and she pushed the yellow back in her mind, as she ran her hands over the tiny chest lying on her lap. She continued to push at the yellow color until the red overwhelmed the small blotch of yellow still stubbornly holding its own in the very corner of the chest. Rane became mad at the yellow for not leaving, and held both hands still over the spot on the little one’s chest forcing her will into the picture. She demanded the red push the infection from the child and succeeded.