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Karen Rhodes

@klrhodes.bsky.social
429 followers 193 following 245 posts

Fantasy writer, living in the Demon Realms, escaping to the dark side 😉

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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Agnes heaved her #mountainous bulk onto the chaise, slyly clutching a small trinket box in one hand. Inside, a simple locket, unadorned and tarnished with age, stood at odds with the elaborate decadence of her own gaudy baubles. Worthless and yet she had stolen it from Mercla. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
There were no unwelcome patrons to Crossways Tavern. The innkeeper, a huge long horned demon, entertained any creature, #dark elf or troll, so long as their coin was good & the fighting better. A sharpened war axe sat behind his counter. It was only when he used it, they realised who he was. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Nyrinore loved the old ruins, with their broken turrets and crumbling walls. At night she would leap from the tower, open her wings and soar through the wreckage, knowing the dead and their shadows couldn’t #touch her. With no mirrors in the darkness, she was beautiful again. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
King saw her and felt the familiar #ache beneath his ribs. It wasn’t real. He had no heart he knew that, but this pain, this misery, proved different. She had made him weak. Disgust filled him as he placed a hand on his chest, feeling the impossible, a slow rhythmic beat. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I touch cold stone, wondering what moulders beneath the grey lichen covered slab, epitaph eroded by weather and time. Not warm soft skin and pale blue eyes but yellowed #bones, brittle and ageing, feeding the earth with her goodness. But her heart will always be mine ❤️ #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Elice accepted the #pale yellow envelope warily. Red sealing wax began to melt, tendrils of smoke escaping from within. Slowly, blank vellum unfolded, laying flat against her palm. One by one, inky black letters crawled across the page, extending an invitation to dinner. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Muluhm’s stern expression crumpled. Falling to his knees, he began to howl. Agony gripped his chest, a paralysing invisible #wound he knew would break him. The lord of Shadowfeld closed tear-filled eyes, hoping to wash away the macabre vision now engraved upon his heart. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
From smouldering ashes, tiny spheres of light rose calmly on the breeze. Casting a #lambent glow, the delicate creatures inside beat gossamer wings, waiting for the moment of their release and surveying the broken land. Freed, fire fae snarled their angry return to the world. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
#Ghosts haunted the ancient ruins of Kilgith Castle, savagely defending the City of Ashes that had once been home. Rusted hauberks hung from weathered bones, swords no longer honed and polished. Helmets hid the empty stares of the slain, still loyal to their fallen Lord. #vss365
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a video game scene with a stained glass window in the back
ALT: a video game scene with a stained glass window in the back
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
The stoic denial was betrayed by her eyes. He groaned, raising a clawed hand to his chest, as the fragile invader inside him halted with one final beat, slowly shattering into 1000 barbed pieces. Now he knew #pain as each illusory shard, like broken glass, cut deeper. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
She gathers us to her, the spurned and dispossessed. Like moths, we gravitate towards her benevolent flame, seeking protection from the dark. We were nothing, but her kindness became our salvation and we shelter beneath the beauty of her #soul, a ragtag army of the forgotten. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Flaming torches lit the dark walls of the main hall, throwing up freakish #shadows of the macabre cast within. Savage gargoyles glowered through smoky air, as black-eyed demons waltzed to the haunting melody of the harp’s last dance. Ravi held Elice in his arms like the room was empty. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Midnight #soothed the violent winds, leaving an eerie stillness broken by the sound of snapping twigs & dead leaves blowing along the dusty roads of the deserted village. Abandonment turned empty alleyways into a playground for ghosts & spectres, howling as they flew. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Unlike my sister, I have no craft. My bow is my weapon, my aim deadly. In the Demon Realms, you shoot to kill. My arrow struck him without leaving the #quiver, piercing his armour and burying itself deep inside his heart. Not all magic is gifted to witches. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Long ago, tiny fire fae were revered and sought out for their wisdom. Then came the years of bloodshed and the fae were hunted for their gift. #Slipping quietly away, hiding in the mists, they watched as the land slowly died and when called upon again, they remembered. #vss365
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a couple of people standing in a field with fireflies in the sky
ALT: a couple of people standing in a field with fireflies in the sky
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Bitter poison #drizzled slowly from the silver flask, rolling tiny beads like mercury across the stone floor. Merging, they forged an emerald serpent, spitting angrily as it slithered boldly towards her. Nyrinore laughed as her clawed hand placed the empty flask over the creature’s head. #vss365
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a close up of a snake laying on a table .
ALT: a close up of a snake laying on a table .
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
When I #unmoored you from your chains in Hell and the burning gates stood open, I stoically awaited your return from the bloody feast. Lust for power, an intoxicating hunger, lured you from your lord and master and saw you stray, but you’ll be back. They always come back ... and I can wait. #vss365
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a skull with flames coming out of it 's mouth
ALT: a skull with flames coming out of it 's mouth
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I think my cat is broken! 😂😂
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
A staccato clip of hoofs echoed across the stone floor,air frigid as King entered the chamber.He was in a black mood,anger palpable & suffocating.Feral eyes rested on each in turn.Muluhm hesitated,hating himself,reluctantly lowering his head in deference until King’s angry glare #veered away #vss365
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a torch is lit up on a brick wall in a dark room
ALT: a torch is lit up on a brick wall in a dark room
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Memories of light wove a canvas of the past, before the stars fell and darkness swallowed all purity and mercy. A time when lightning tore through her veins, as the mercurial craft wreathed itself around her avaricious heart, and she heard the Devil #murmur, ‘Come out to play’. #vss365
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a black and white photo of a lightning bolt in the sky
ALT: a black and white photo of a lightning bolt in the sky
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Scarlet eyes smouldered in the dark. Turmoil raged in his chest, an unbridled storm ripping through the fragile vestiges of feeling, fighting to contain the killer instinct within. Pain #seared his soul like the fire spear’s flame, the words rasping from his lips, ‘YOU will not break ME’. #vss365
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a close up of a woman 's eye with the number 7 visible
ALT: a close up of a woman 's eye with the number 7 visible
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
A grey-haired demoness, blind and #stooped, plucked expertly at the harp strings, the haunting melody filling Elice with unbearable melancholy and loss. Ravi stood before her, one hand extended. King watched from his throne, black eyes smouldering, as they slowly began to dance. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Lord Stolomhn pushed the flower #adorned craft gently from the dock, watching it scythe through the water, leaving wide ripples atop the tranquil lake. Eyes closed, he raised a hand & flaming arrows filled the sky, turning the boat to a funeral pyre where entwined Catherine & Ravisham burned #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Centuries earlier they found this place, a haven from their own kind who, fearful of the gift, burned or drowned innocents in their ignorance. They became a living #symphony with the fire fae, who shared the secret of the flames, until they saw a new foe rise, craving the magic of witches. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Folks said it wasn’t the insane laughter or the teeth that #spooked ‘em, it was the eyes. One blue, almost human, the other scarlet, brimming with malevolence and despair. They called him Red-Eye Malachi and if he found you alone on a dark night, no-one would ever find you again. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Nissa yawned, rubbing her eyes. Stretching tiny arms over her head, gossamer wings unfolded gently and she felt great #delight in the power returning. Rising winds lifted the fire fae’s flame red hair, filling her with ecstasy and long forgotten joy. Today, all she wanted to do was fly. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Fine filigree petals framed the warm amber heart of the elven daisy brooch. Inside, the silver-backed fae beetle woke, antennae twitching as he felt for Mercla’s mood. Satisfied, he flexed his delicate gauzy wings and slept, #dreaming of release from the oath of fealty that bound him. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Just because she’s beautiful! Happy #caturday ❤️❤️
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Tangled hair intertwined with the matted beard, still wet from the blood of his last kill. He moved closer, clawed fingers gripping her throat as she gulped wildly for #air. Breathing in, he shuddered with pleasure, tasting her soul. She was dying, a flaccid doll, broken in his grasp. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Merry Christmas 🎄
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Glut hopped nervously from foot to foot, wringing his hands in the irritating manner he adopted when bringing King bad news. Smugly he tried to look #humble and contrite but the corners of his mouth still lifted with barely concealed glee, knowing he was about to rid himself of the #Queene. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Walking through the dawn mists, the young standard bearer found his wooden stave, twisted and broken amongst the silent chaos of the dead. A corner of the once proud pennant, spattered with blood & #regret, still flapped gently in the breeze. Above the futile battlefield, the fire fae wept. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
I don’t #recall her clearly, I was a child, and five centuries have dulled the memories but not the overwhelming sense of loss. I dream and often she comes to me, an ethereal being, smiling benevolently upon her half-human son, grown now, the scourge of demons and witches. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Fiery wings beat quickly, stirring the mists clinging stubbornly to the broken altar at the centre of the Flame Stones. Nissa watched proudly as dozens of young fire fae took flight. A hazy #memory, fragile and broken, danced through her mind. Then they were many, filling the open skies. #vss365
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a man and a child looking at fireflies in the sky
ALT: a man and a child looking at fireflies in the sky
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
A serving boy ran through the dimly lit halls, shouting as he pushed past the guard. ‘My Lord, they are coming,’ he gasped, falling to his knees. Lord Kilgith pressed his Lady’s hand to his lips and the ghostly guardians of Emberwich fought their #last battle for the castle one more time. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
The gnarled marker, once pointing east, had ‘Crossways Tavern’ branded across the ancient wood, now weathered & fading. Olive black climbers encircled its post, pulling it down towards the dusty road, shrouding the route. It didn’t #matter. You didn’t find Crossways unless it wanted you to. #vss365
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Reposted by Karen Rhodes
Peter James Martin @authorpjm.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Watching the world burn Tears in my eyes as pain spreads Must we never #learn? #haiku #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Don’t get caught. The first lesson fire fae #learn. These words haunted me as my sister, scooped up in the large hand of a demon warrior, struggled to break free. He would use her now, meld her powerful essence with his spear and she would live only to power its mighty flame. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Nyrinore closed her eyes recalling the euphoric taste of dark magic coursing through her veins. Sorcery’s song called to her like the phantom ache of a missing limb, its confiscation physical pain. #Reality sliced her heart opening old wounds, her tortured mind fractured beyond repair. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Scarth touched her cheek. ‘I could remove it, of course, but it reminds me of who I am. People kept away when they saw the scar but the School of Wicca accepted my talent. Beauty was never an #issue. I never desired to make my way in the world because others saw me as beautiful.’ #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
As the flames died, so our #number dwindled to those with heart enough to fight on. I would not fade and leave the Fire Realms to perish under the cruel neglect of our invaders. Ancient fae magic heals the land, the mortal seasons change, and I dance once again with my kind in the flames. #vss365
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a group of women are holding hands in a circle in front of a fire .
ALT: a group of women are holding hands in a circle in front of a fire .
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
The spine-chilling legend of the Ebony Ironwood hid well the secret at its ancient heart. Dark elves dwelled peaceably with wood nymph, protecting the forest, keeping strangers away with sinister #myth and magic. It was a haven for scholars and learning that Cornon couldn’t wait to leave. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Scarth cleared her mind and focused, letting their turbulent #history wash away. She wouldn’t let her childhood define this moment and suppressed the desire for revenge. ‘She was a friend of yours once?’ Nissa asked, breaking the silence.Scarth didn’t reply. Nyrinore had never been a friend. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
There is an art to betrayal, brother and you were neither subtle nor clever,’ an #unearthly voice breathed softly in Glut’s large ear. Waving a hand as if to brush Holic’s spectre away, the greenish hue of his sallow skin paled a little as bony fingers touched something solid in the dark. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Cirro grimaced as he read the Elvish words aloud, fearing what they would do. Brilliant white flames silently engulfed his tiny form, quickening the metamorphosis. From the ashes emerged a gauzy winged fae #beetle, scuttling into Lord Rhemzah’s waiting hand. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Spiralling tendrils of mist curled under the door, flowing through tiny cracks in the window glass, filling the room with the familiar smell of sulphur and #ash. Demons! Mercla had smelt their coming before. Hidden beneath her kirtle, the warm bodied insect inside the daisy brooch glowed. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
They were #conspiring against him, he’d known for a while. The privileged lords of his Council schemed and plotted and Muluhm’s Demon Brotherhood was rising to shatter the tenuous peace fear had brought to the realm. Flexing a clawed hand, he snarled ... well he was ready. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Scarth Nox flowed through smoky air, wild red hair tangled and windblown. The healed symbol of the flames, seared pearly white on her left palm, tingled, an illuminating symbol of new power. Nissa had given her the #chance to make amends, a metamorphosis from outcast witch to Lady Firestorm. #vss365
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Karen Rhodes @klrhodes.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
Voluntary cuddles are the best ❤️
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