Every few decades, vampire families choose a new member, a successor to their curse. Contrary to belief and legend, turning a human into a vampire takes time and the process is very painful. For these reasons, the School of Midnighters exists, a secret institute that transforms and nurtures small groups of select humans into perfect heirs. Activities at this closed school include strict lessons in manners, luring prey, dark and blood magic, and, of course, force-feeding human and vampire blood.