Hellbound Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book Five) by Brenda Trim, Tami Julka

back. Wrapping one of his arms around the neck area, he trapped its arms at its sides. Rhys ducked and dodged the thrashing tentacles, but one particularly long tentacle wrapped around Rhys’ neck and tightened, instantly choking him. Spots winked in his vision.
    Shit, did that thing have eyes on its tentacles? Dizziness had Rhys blinking rapidly to clear his head. The creature was trying to choke the life out of him. Not that being choked would kill Rhys, but it would disable him long enough for the demon to separate his head from his body.
    Rhys felt the suckers attaching to his skin and wondered if there were stingers in them since something was causing his skin to burn where they were attached. The creature thrashed and wiggled in his grip, trying to buck him off. It was at that moment that Rhys caught sight of the bottom half, which was the form of a mermaid. Odd fucking demon, he mused, as he lifted his arm and cut through the tentacle, slicing if from the creature’s head. The appendage flopped onto his chest and he ripped it from around his neck. There were definitely barbs in the suckers, and damn, it hurt to pull off.
    “Watch the tentacles, they have barbs,” he called out as he plunged his blade into the demon’s chest.
    It twitched for a couple seconds before it went lax in his grip, letting go. Grabbing a handful of tentacles, Rhys lifted its head then suddenly felt his body sail through the air. It had played dead, the sly fucker, and then used its fish tail to boot Rhys away. Hitting the ground, his back felt as if Bhric had kicked him. Bhric was the strongest Dark Warrior there was and used his strength to punish Rhys during workouts. They could use the Bhric House right about now.
    Landing with a muddy splat, Rhys rolled over immediately, but didn’t manage to miss the tail coming at him. Fuck, his back and side hurt like a sonovabitch and then he was hit again. After probing his side, he felt something sharp under the skin. He didn’t have time to consider that he’d broken a rib because the dagon was pissed and hissing at him. Wet warmth trickled down his side and Rhys looked down to see that he’d been sliced by something and blood was pouring from the wound.
    Taking a step toward the creature, Rhys stumbled and dizziness assailed him. What the fuck had sliced him? He watched the creature slither toward him and noticed the razors it had for scales. More than likely, those scales were poisonous like its claws. Claws that were heading right for his head.
    Rhys ducked and had his weapon up and slicing before the thing knew what hit it. It backed off, screeching in anger. Rhys darted in and quickly removed its head. Hands on his knees and gasping for air, Rhys momentarily caught his breath. His side was on fire and his body ached all over.
    “Rhys, behind you!” Illianna called out in warning. Going on the offense, he struck out against the demon sneaking up behind him. Shutting out his pain and fatigue, Rhys punched the beast in the eye and it immediately fell to the ground. Rhys nudged the fat tail with his boot, noting it was out cold.
    “Attack the eyes. That’s their weakness,” he yelled to Dante and Kellen who had been taken a beating, as well.
    One benefit of the sludge was it gave some warning, Rhys thought as he spun in place, stabbing one in the eye. It withered into a dried husk before it hit the ground. That was new, he thought, looking back to the one he’d knocked out. Still passed out, but hadn’t died. Backpedaling, Rhys stabbed its eye and was satisfied when shriveled, reminding him of a snake shedding its skin.
    “Stab it in the eye,” Rhys corrected as he charged the others.
    Dante was panting as he made it to Rhys’ side. Rhys noted the Cambion Lord wasn’t faring any better than he was. “I lost my weapon over there. Can you get it for me?” Dante asked.
    “Take mine,” Rhys said, handing over his weapon until he located Dante’s blade. He had to see the object he