In the earliest days of humankind, everything in the world seemed magical. Gods and demons, spirits and sprites were considered to be responsible for everything from life and death, to the turning of the seasons, to the abundance or failure of crops.

Today, much that was once attributed to magic has been explained by science, and in our technologically driven world, the question is whether there is still a place for magic. For twenty of fantasy’s finest imaginers, the answer is obviously, “Yes.”

So welcome to visionary, modern-day realms of magic where surprising things can still happen. From a Gypsy fortune-teller’s transforming prophecy…to a troubled teen seeking a haven from his family woes…to a mysterious gathering of cats at Cape Canavaral…and a kid out to spook his best friend into believing that werewolves are real…here are stories that will amuse you or send chills down your spine—or have you looking wistfully around the next corner, hoping to find a bit of magic all your own….