There was something familiar about his arms around her, and she realized it on a subconscious level, even if the touch to her back was awkward.
Regardless of the uncomfortableness of his hand, his voice soothed her frayed nerves immensely. He was the sort of man you just trusted, this Vlad. Strong and knowledgeable, she couldn't imagine he was ever frightened of anything at all.
She nodded against his shoulder, but she didn't move away from the comfort he offered. "She was gonna kill me, Vlad. She wasn't joking. She shoved me down the stairs. If Aaron hadn't been 'round, I think..." her voice trailed, sentence unfinished.