"Exactly," the angel said, nodding. "It's not an easy mindset to break out of, even when you know that you must. Understand that I am not making excuses. It was a failure on my part, one that I can only hope I've atoned for since."

"Yes." As he spoke, he leaned across the table to touch the backs of John's fingers, willing away the lacerations. "You're not familiar with angelic lore? Healing is...one of the perks."