Munchkin

Otherwise known as potentials, a munchkin is the larval stage of a shadow drinker. they are usually abandoned by their parents and raised by humans.

They are naturally stronger, faster, smarter, and more sadistic than humans, although there's still variation within the race.

When 'awakened' by trauma, meditation, or by being targetted by another drinker, they can become drinkers in their own right. This is the source of the legend about a vampire's bite being able to change a human into a vampire. In reality this only works on munchkins, who may or may not know that their true parents were also drinkers.

Notable drinkers in the series include Erik; although he later became mundane.