In Morgana's hand was a vial of dark blue liquid. It seemed to be crackling with an energy that was all but invisible to the eye but blatantly apparent to the soul, the very essence of Night.
"This is vampire venom, Chloe" said Morgana, "just like Tatiana's fangs would inject into you. It'll turn you into a vampire just the same as if you'd been bitten. Of course, since it's being taken orally rather than directly into the bloodstream, it'll take a bit more time to work."
"Oh?" asked Chloe.
"Indeed," Morgana nodded. "Being bitten would have taken about ten or fifteen minutes to fully transform you. Drinking venom should take about a week if its freshly harvested, longer if its stale. I'm afraid I can't remember when this was donated."
"That's fine," said Chloe. "Just so long as I get to join the von Karnsteins. How much is it?"
"Hmmm..." thought Morgana. "Plus tax, fifteen dollars."
Chloe flinched. "Ooooh... crap... that's kinda pricey for a teen runaway."
Tatiana pulled the money from her pocket. "It's my treat, Sis. Anything to get you vamped up and living with me again. I bet Momtriarch'll even let you live with us before you're finished changing. After all, you've got a von Karnstein in good standing to vouch for you."
"Thanks," said Chloe. She took the vial of vampire venom and chugged it greedily. She felt an odd sensation in her stomach, as if it were filling up with... nothing. Tangible nothing, that is. Part of her was confident it was Darkness itself. But that was impossible. Darkness wasn't an actual thing unto itself; it was just the absence of light... right? Well, whatever it was, the feeling felt strangely pleasurable, soothing. And whatever else Chloe knew, she was absolutely certain this was the first stirring of her vampire transformation.