In ancient Egypt they were worshiped. In the Middle Ages they were crucified. From a gentle purr to a sudden scratch, enter the dark, secret world of the creature who is definitely not man's best friend - and who likes it just fine that way. In this extraordinary collection, 24 master storytellers look into the inscrutable eyes of felis catus, and see a reflection of the frightening, the fantastic and the bizarre. From birds' feet left at your door to a howl in the night, from a preen to a pounce, find out who they really are... if you dare.

Experts in the genres of mythic and speculative fiction, Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have edited numerous anthologies for readers of all ages. Together and individually they have won abundant honors, including multiple World Fantasy, Hugo, and Bram Stoker Awards.

Ellen Datlow has also received the British Fantasy Society's Karl Edward Wagner Award for “outstanding contribution to the genre.” She lives in New York City.

Terri Windling is the recipient of the Science Fiction Writers Association's Solstice Award for outstanding contributions to the speculative fiction field. She live