Beatrice nods a bit, "that is what brought the wardens into this...  Mr Ortiz was a member in good standing of the White Council.  Thus far, I haven't noted any particular pattern to the deaths, as that was my first thought, but it's possible that some of them are a smoke screen, designed to hide the murders that are part of the ritual making the pattern more difficult to discern."<br/><br/>"I'm also doubtful that only one of the murders matters.  If the murderer was out for a single individual, they would draw much less attention to themselves with a single pointed murder than a series of murders with linked modus operandi.  I believe that the murderer, particularly with this last crime, is<em>trying</em>to draw attention to what they are doing.  There is little that could be less subtle than murdering a casino owner on top of a light that is visible from LA."<br/><br/>"Each of the dead or missing so far have been either fey that were active in the mortal world, those who were born of mortal and fey blood, or those who were known to be close allies of the fey.  Beyond that, I haven't noticed any particular pattern to the locations or deaths, past the fact that the murderer is apparently fond of using iron or steel weapons, which ties back to their MO of killing fey and their allies or descendants."<br/><br/>She gently rests a hand on Hitomi's shoulder, squeezing lightly.  "As Hitomi is a wizard and an ally of the courts to some degree, though I know not how much or in what way, I have offered her my protection as a warden."  She smiled a bit, telling herself quietly 'I am not my mother, I'm not taking in strays, I'm not flirting, I'm just doing my job and trying to keep someone safe, show her that the White Council aren't bad guys.'  Another part of her mind touched at her thoughts, though, 'but she is cute, and so alone in the big city, with nowhere to go...'