*Three Years Earlier*

Kate and Theo hoped it was just a fluke. Nosebleeds could happen for no dire reason. It could happen because of a cold or a change in weather. Some people had them because of genetics.

They weren't life-threatening. It couldn't be a sign of worse things to come.

They left the cafe and went to his room. Kate tried to reassure Theo that he was going to be fine. They had beaten the blood curse. He had felt healthy and strong for months

"What if it ...