Jessica Tang gazed up at Karnstein Manor in awe as she walked the cobblestone path that let to the front door. The Tudor-style mansion had a foreboding look, particularly when silhouetted against the moon. Jessica definitely had the right address; nobody but a vampire would live in this gothic fever dream. At least the lawn looked well-maintained, with freshly cut grass and orderly beds of fragrant flowers. Was one of these vampires into gardening of all hobbies? Jessica shrugged and decided that she shouldn't stereotype vampires... that might be dangerous.
Jessica reached the ornately carved wooden front door and knocked with the large brass ring knocker. These vampires seemed to appreciate a classic aesthetic. It'd take Jessica adjustment to ditch the preppy look, but this seemed cool too. "Hello?" she called, her voice sounding much thinner than she'd meant it to. "Can I come in?"
The door creaked open, revealing a tall blonde vampire with smoky grey eyes and ruby lips. All the von Karnsteins were known to be highly attractive, but this one took the cake. "Good evening, stranger. I'm Lenora von Karnstein. Who might I have the pleasure of addressing on this fine night?"
"I'm Jessica Tang," the Chinese girl managed. "I'm here to ask Carmilla to turn me into a vampire."
A startled look flashed across Lenora's silvery eyes. "Who said anything about us being vampires?! We... we're just a very private old-money family. So we're a bit on the pale side and our manor looks a little spooky at night. Coincidences! My advice it to get your head out of The Vampire Chronicles or that Twilight crap, or whatever escapist pulp you're reading and live in the real world."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "You can drop the act, Lenora. I know you're vampires. Liesel and Claudia told me at Inferno. Claudia recommended I join your clan."
Lenora's mood changed instantly. She smiled, baring her two needle-like white fangs. "Oh, so Liesel and Claudia sent you! Well, the recommendation of two of my sisters is good enough for me. Come on in, Miss Tang. The night air must be awfully chilly for a human." She took Jessica's hand and guided her into the foyer.
"Not as chilly as your fingers," Jessica giggled.
"I was just about to remark on how warm yours were," said Lenora.
Jessica's eyes wandered all over Lenora's lavish dark red Victorian gown. "Your dress is really pretty, by the way, Lenora. I hope I can dress that way once I'm a vampire."
"You can dress any way you like," Lenora answered. "Claudia was a 1920's flapper in life, and now she dresses like a punk-rock biker chick. Me, I like to dress the way I did in life. Carmilla and Mircalla picked me up in the 1890's, you see."
Lenora led Jessica up numerous flights of stairs and down narrow corridors full of gargoyles and suits of armor. "This place is creepy," she said. "But it's a cool kind of creepy. Like a year-round Halloween."
"That's just the way we vampires like our havens," Lenora smiled. "I'm glad it seems to be growing on you. Ah, here we are." Lenora knocked on the palatial door that led to the manor's master bedroom. "Matriarch, it's Lenora. I have a petitioner who wishes to be turned into your newest daughter. May I show her in?"
"As soon as Consort Mircalla and I are dressed," answered a rich, feminine voice.
"I guess they were making love in there," Lenora shrugged. "Oh well, soulmates will be soulmates."
After a few minutes, the door was answered by a statuesque woman with raven hair who rivaled even Lenora in beauty. Behind her was a shorter sweet-faced vampiress with golden curls cascading down her shoulders.
"Good evening," the gorgeous raven-haired vampire said. "I am Matriarch Carmilla von Karnstein, and this is my consort Mircalla. Please, come in."
Jessica followed Carmilla and Mircalla into the master bedroom. Lenora discreetly took her leave. Jessica sat down in a gilt chair cushioned with silk next to Carmilla and Mircalla's coffins. "Greetings... your majesties?" the cheerleader said uncertainly. "Sorry, I've got no idea. I'm Jessica Tang, but you can call me Jess if you like. I met two of your daughters at Inferno, and one of them, Claudia, suggested that I should ask you if I could be a von Karnstein myself. Is... is that okay?"
Carmilla smiled. "We're always happy to add to the family. But first I have to ask you if you're of the sapphic persuasion. In other words, are you lesbian or bisexual?"
Jessica laughed. "Please! I'm on Cheer Squad, Carmilla! It's practically a club for lesbian femmes! Come to think of it, the girls' sports teams feel like clubs for butch and chapstick lesbians. You know, most of my female classmates in general seem to be into girls."
Carmilla chuckled. "Something just sort of gets into the air when a lesbian vampire matriarch long inhabits an area. I'm glad to hear you're a lesbian. It would make our periodic orgies rather... awkward if you weren't. Another question, do you have anyone who would come looking for you if you just disappeared?"
"My moms," Jessica answered. "I still live with them, and they'd freak if I just didn't come home one night. I couldn't hurt them like that. But... couldn't I be a secret vampire and still live with them? I'd come over here whenever I could justify it, I promise."
Mircalla turned to Carmilla. "I don't see the harm, darling. She could always ask Morgana to put her parents under a geis so they don't notice how pale and cold she's gone."
Carmilla nodded slowly. "Very well. You shall be a von Karnstein and continue sleeping under your mothers' roof, Jessica Tang... under the condition that you move into Karnstein Manor when you turn eighteen."
"Thank you!" Jessica grinned. "Oh, one other thing. Liesel already answered this, but I thought I should check with you. As you can see, I'm of Chinese heritage. If you bite me, I won't turn into a jiangshi, right? I really don't wanna have to hop everywhere I go."
Carmilla laughed. "Considering I'm not a jiangshi myself, no. You'll turn into the exact same breed of vampire as me, the nosferatu."
"Awesome!" said Jessica. "I can't wait to show my friend Micki my new self! Oh, Liesel and Claudia said something about an initiation ritual. When's that?"
"I'll have it ready in about an hour," Carmilla answered. "I'll bite and turn you during the rite."
"Feel free to explore the manor in the meantime," Mircalla said brightly. "It'll be your home after your eighteenth birthday. Just stay out of Tatiana's room, please. She's having friends over for a... private get-together"