Leather Bound Bible Niv Novels & Stories

“If you’re capable of really getting to know me. Ready? I bet you’re not.” In fact, I wasn’t. When he opened the elegant square box, it revealed a black leather-bound Bible with gold edges. Then he took out a velvet cover from the box, and from there, another smaller ring box. The air felt heavy as he picked up the ring box and opened it to show me.

“Time for a little story. No pressure, but this one’s important. Gotta have that legacy.” Nik blinked slowly at the pages, completely quiet. He watched intently as I read, voice hushed and monotone. It was a simple book, designed for early readers, full of art in primary colors and a watered-down retelling. The battle for the temple, the miracle of the oil, and the general message of standing up for what’s right. Nik probably didn’t understand any of it yet. He was probably just entranced by the scarlet robe on Judah Maccabee, or the golden gleam of the lamp. But I believed it didn’t matter.

he pointed out, and that's when the doorbell rang. "Ethan," I whispered, my voice cracking. He was already moving. He opened the door, but instead of the usual red box, there was something different. My stomach churned. A Bible. My name was carved into the leather cover. I rose to my feet and moved over to Ethan. He picked it up and opened it slowly. My eyes widened. Blood stained the thin pages, spreading in dark blotches. The coppery smell hit my nose, and I gagged. And there, scrawled across one of the ruined pages in an unfamiliar, jagged handwriting, were the words:

"I know some things that every father will enjoy," Lucas said confidently. "And it's all in here." He tapped the leather-bound Bible on his desk. "Really?" She piped. "I read the Bible all the time. What part is it?" He smiled as he thought quickly. "Well, my child, since I am a priest, I have a special Bible. The, uh, priest's edition, that's right. And it has some extra things in it." "Wow," Her pretty eyes were wide in wonder. "Can I see it?"

But no ledger. Damn it. I pivoted to the shelves next, scanning quickly. The books were arranged neatly, except— There. A thick, black leather-bound book sat slightly out of place, its spine worn from use. My fingers curled around it, and I flipped it open, my eyes skimming over the pages. Names. Transactions. Locations. Everything Adriano wanted. Got it. Relief flooded my chest, but I didn’t have time to savor it. Just as I turned to leave, I heard footsteps.

Inside, the silence was warm, sacred and soothing to the soul. Auther sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the worn leather-bound Bible in his lap—the same Bible he had left behind the night he walked away from everything he knew. Michael had delivered it that morning, a quiet but monumental gesture. No sermon. No guilt. Just a nod, and the words, “It’s yours. Still.”

I crouched beside him just as he reached into the dark space and pulled something out. A thick, leather-bound book. My breath caught and He held it up to me like it was the Holy Grail. It was dark, ancient, the leather cracked and lined with strange glyphs that gave off a weird sound. “Is that it?” I whispered. “It has to be,” he replied. “It’s just like I glimpsed the other day and it looks as described.” He handed it to me. My hands trembled as I took it. I tried to flip it open. I didn’t move.

Thorns sinking into marked flesh like venomous teeth, the man pushed his crown deeper as red fluid leaked through the fresh marks, trickling down the side of a hairless chin. He was naked again. Like he was. Like he'd always been. Like he'd always be. The small book of scriptures, lay in front of him, as always. The worn out edges of the old Bible touching his bare knees. The stained pages showing powerful spiritual words which were going faint from age.

“It’s not.” There was a beat. Then another. When she didn’t continue, I scowled. “What are you not telling me?” Nora bit the inside of her cheek, like she was measuring how much she could get away with sharing with me. Then she dug around in her satchel before pulling out an old, leather-bound book. The binding was worn and cracking, and the cover was faded with the crest of House Aurelian. She opened it carefully and turned the pages with a brittle whisper before pausing.