A bewitching brew of stories sure to enchant. Surrounded by the aura of magic, witches have captured our imaginations for millennia and fascinate us now more than ever. No longer confined to the image of a hexing old crone, witches can be kindly healers and protectors, tough modern urban heroines, holders of forbidden knowledge, sweetly domestic spellcasters, darkly domineering, sexy enchantresses, ancient sorceresses, modern Wiccans, empowered or persecuted, possessors of supernatural abilities that can be used for good or evil—or perhaps only perceived as such. Welcome to the world of witchery in many guises: wicked, wild, and wonderful. Includes two original, never-published stories. Contents The Cold Blacksmith • (2006) • shortstory by Elizabeth Bear The Ground Whereon She Stands • (2011) • shortfiction by Leah Bobet The Witch’s Headstone • (2007) • novelette by Neil Gaiman Lessons with Miss Gray • (2006) • novelette by Theodora Goss The Only Way to Fly • (1995) • shortstory by Nancy Holder Basement Magic • (2003) • novelette by Ellen Klages Nightside • [Diana Tregarde] • (1989) • shortstory by Mercedes Lackey April in Paris • (1962) • shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin The Goosle • (2008) • shortstory by Margo Lanagan Mirage and Magia • (1982) • shortstory by Tanith Lee Poor Little Saturday • (1956) • shortstory by Madeleine L'Engle Catskin • (2003) • shortstory by Kelly Link Bloodlines • shortfiction by Silvia Moreno-Garcia The Way Wind • (1995) • novelette by Andre Norton Skin Deep • (2008) • novelette by Richard Parks Ill Met in Ulthar • shortfiction by Tim Pratt [as by T. A. Pratt ] Marlboros & Magic • shortfiction by Linda Robertson Walpurgis Afternoon • (2005) • novelette by Delia Sherman The World Is Cruel, My Daughter • (2011) • shortstory by Cory Skerry The Robbery • (1995) • shortstory by Cynthia Ward Afterward • (1999) • shortstory by Don Webb Magic Carpets • (1995) • shortstory by Leslie What Boris Chernevsky's Hands • (1982) • shortstory by Jane Yolen