Klaus found me the next night.
He materialized at The Crossing like he owned it—because he did, technically, along with most of the Quarter. His expression was carefully neutral, but I could feel the tension radiating from him.
"We need to talk."
"About?"
"The witches. The Harvest. The fact that you've been meeting with the sacrifice girls." He moved closer, eyes flickering gold. "I know what you're doing, Paradox."
"Do you?"
"You're building insurance. Contingencies. Making sure that when the Harvest happens, you control the outcome." His smile was sharp. "I admire the strategy. But I need to know—where do I fit in your plans?"
"You fit wherever you choose to." I poured us both drinks. "The ancestors are the real threat. They've been manipulating witches for centuries, using the Harvest to accumulate power. If they succeed in fully incarnating—"
"They won't."
"They might. And if they do, your hybrid nature won't protect you. Ancestral magic targets souls, not bodies." I met his eyes. "Even Originals have souls, Klaus."
He considered this. A thousand years of experience, weighing my words against his instincts.
"You're asking me to ally against the ancestors."
"I'm asking you to survive. What you do with that survival is your choice."
Klaus was quiet for a long moment. Then he laughed.
"You're remarkable," he said. "Absolutely remarkable. In a thousand years, no one has ever spoken to me like this."
"Maybe they should have."
"Perhaps." He set down his untouched drink. "Fine. The Mikaelsons will stand aside during the Harvest. We won't interfere with whatever you're planning."
"That's all I ask."
"For now." He headed for the door. "But when this is over, Paradox, we'll have a longer conversation. About loyalty. About power. About where you truly stand."
He left before I could respond.
[Klaus Mikaelson: TEMPORARY NEUTRALITY ESTABLISHED]
[Duration: Through the Harvest]
[Future conflict: INEVITABLE]
[Evolution progress: 35% toward Stage 3]
One crisis at a time.