The Mages of Starsea: The Starsea Cycle

Details: Death is not the worst outcome for a mage.  Lucian longs for a fresh start away from the squalor of Earth. Unfortunately, when the government recognizes him as a mage, his wish comes true.  Nobody is aware of the origin of the mages. Nobody understands why the terrifying illness known as "the fraying," which causes their powers to cause madness and death.