My throat burned under his grip, each breath sharp and thin. Spots of light flickered at the edges of my vision, but I refused to let fear win. My fingers brushed the table, searching blindly until they met the warm handle of the coffee cup.

I seized it and swung hard.

The cup smashed against his shoulder, scalding coffee spilling across his shirt. Jason roared, jerking back as the dark, hot liquid soaked his chest. His hand tore away from my neck and I stumbled free, coughing hard as air ...