Read After the Fall (Broken Angel #2) for Free Online

the ribs. How did she get such a pointy elbow?
    He sighed and reached out to fist-bump him.
    Naomi beamed. “That would explain why you two were such great friends all those years.”
    “Were,” Lash mumbled under his breath.
    Jeremy frowned slightly as he sat back in his seat. “You know I would’ve told you about my assignment if I were allowed.”
    “Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
    “Lash,” Naomi reprimanded.
    He let go of her hand, scowling. “I thought you didn’t trust him, and now you’re all ‘let’s be one happy family.’ I don’t know. Maybe I’m better off not remembering the past.”
    “How can not having a memory of your own family be better? It’s a part of who you are,” she said.
    “Those are wise words, Naomi,” Raphael said, his voice low and with authority. He turned to Lash and looked him straight in the eye. “The person you are today is made from who you were yesterday. Your past influences the present, and it is family that shapes your growth.”
    “See, that’s exactly what I mean. We all know I’m a screw-up.” Lash stood up and paced the floor. “I only had a few memories shown to me, but they were enough for me to know, to realize that even back then, I was second best—to you.” He directed at Jeremy.
    “Lahash,” Raphael stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Lucifer showed you only what serves to benefit him.”
    Lash pulled away. “No, Raphael. It was more than that. Even before the memories, I felt it. I know you were disappointed with me staying a seraph and getting disciplined after almost every assignment. Jeremy and I both started as seraphs, and within the year he was assigned the position of archangel. And me, well...”
    “Be fair, Lash,” Jeremy said. “You antagonized Gabrielle even from the beginning.”
    Lash spun around. “You, shut up!”
    Naomi gasped. “Lash!”
    “No, Naomi. You weren’t there, and you don’t know.” He breathed hard. He was tired of everyone taking Jeremy’s side. “At the time, I didn’t see it. But now I do. I was questioned every step of the way. And Jeremy? Never. We did the same things, but Jeremy was always let off, and me? I’m the one who got in trouble. It was as if he could do no wrong.”
    “That’s not true!” Jeremy jumped to his feet.
    “You may be right,” Raphael said softly.
    Jeremy froze, and Lash’s jaw dropped.
    The room was a tense silence for a moment before Raphael continued. “Please sit down and let me explain.”
    Naomi tugged Lash’s arm. He took one look at the tears glistening in her eyes, and he melted. He hadn’t meant to get mad at her. “I’m sorry. Forgive me?”
    She nodded.
    Sitting by her side, he placed an arm around her and turned his attention back to Raphael.
    “As you know, Jeremiel is your older brother. As was the custom at the time, the first-born was given rights above all others in the family. He was the heir to what our family owned. With his right as first born, he was to marry before Lahash, and that is where your family came into play,” he said looking to Naomi.
    She pressed a hand to her chest. “My family?”
    “Naomi,” Raphael reached over and placed her hand in his. “Your first family is from the City of Ai. Your father owned an inn and was a very successful businessman. He was considered to be an esteemed leader of the city.” He released her hand and looked to Jeremy and Lash. “You two were born of a human mother and an angelic father.”
    “Rebecca,” Lash said.
    Raphael nodded, and his face grew sad at the sound of the name.
    “So, we’re Nephilim,” Jeremy said, sitting back down.
    “What?” Naomi gasped. “Aren’t the Nephilim evil giants?”
    “Some of the stories that have been told over the years are not entirely accurate,” Raphael said. “Just as there are evil people, there were Nephilim who took advantage of their heritage. As for my sons, I taught them humility and respect for all those around them. And, at the