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"With ave it an indicative pat "I keep them in my possession at all times"

"Show them to me"

"If I do, then will you release Julian?"

"Once I know they're genuine, yes" Macall stared eagerly at her bag, the tip of his sword easing slightly away from Julian's chest "No me"

"All right" Aurora lowered her lashes, tugging open the reticule and reaching inside "Here" She extracted first one key, then another, holding them up for his inspection

"Throw them over here"

"But…"

"Throw them at my feet I'll pick them up and exao"

With apparent reluctance, Aurora tossed the keys to the ground They landed a foot shy of Macall's feet "I'e seemed to falter "I'm just so nervous, I…"

"Never mind" Impatiently Macall stepped forward to retrieve the keys, thereby easing his sword farther away fro hirasp on Julian's coat

Julian slu arm was removed

Macall froze, looking from his captive to the keys, uncertain which prize to seize first

Aurora eliminated his choice the instant his attention was diverted

Yanking a pistol frohtest hesitation fired a shot directly at Macall's heart

The privateer cruround