Refuge from horrible scary aunt (9)
I believe the answer is:
sanctuary
'refuge' is the definition.
('sanctuary' can be a synonym of 'refuge')
'horrible scary aunt' is the wordplay.
'horrible' is an anagram indicator.
'scary'+'aunt'='scaryaunt'
'scaryaunt' anagrammed gives 'SANCTUARY'.
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for sanctuary that I've seen before include "Holy place - asylum" , "Place of refuge" , "A shelter from danger or hardship" , "As was Spartacus; arch anti (anag.)" , "Asylum - refuge" .)